The EU is introducing new border crossing rules for Ukrainians from October 12!

The EU is introducing new border crossing rules for Ukrainians from October 12: passports will no longer have stamps, instead they will have digital biometric registration

The following information will be entered into the database: a photo of your face, fingerprints (from the age of 12), passport data, date and place of entry/exit, and refusal of entry.

This will apply to anyone travelling to the EU for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.



Crossing procedure:
- By car you will have to get out of the biometric machine;
- By train - depends on the checkpoint;
- If you refuse to provide biometric data, you will not be allowed into the EU.

A new border crossing system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), will be introduced for Ukrainians traveling to EU countries starting October 12, 2025. It completely changes the procedure — physical stamps in passports are being canceled, replaced by digital biometric registration.

EES system (Entry/Exit System, or Entry/Exit System) - the price of a new automated database of the European Union, as from June 12, 2025, the border crossings are registered by the citizens of the third countries (not the EU citizens) upon entry exits from the Schengen zone. It is possible to replace the manual stamping of the passport, the collection of biometric data (fingerprints and identification photos) together with the information about the passport and the hour/place will be more expensive, which will allow for more effective control of compliance with the rules short-term intervention (90 days for 180 days) and fight against illegal migration.

What data will be recorded
- Facial photo.
- Four fingerprints (for persons aged 12 and over).
- Passport data.
- Date and place of entry or exit from the EU.
- If entry is refused, this is also recorded in the database.




Consultation on any issues

Who is affected?
The EES system applies to citizens of Ukraine and other third countries who travel to the EU without a visa or with a short-stay visa (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).

Border crossing procedure
- All car passengers will be required to exit the vehicle to provide biometrics.
- At railway crossings, the procedure may vary depending on the specific infrastructure of the crossing and the country.
- Refusal to provide biometric data is an official reason for a ban on entry into the EU.

Why introduce EES?



The aim of the innovations is to strengthen security through precise control of stay, effectively combat forged documents and prevent violations of the terms of stay. All data will be centrally stored in an EU database, which will allow for better control of the identification of travelers and the exchange of information between member states in real time.

Important details
- The procedure only applies to those traveling to the EU for a period of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- The new rules apply to both entry and exit from EU countries, biometrics are provided at the first crossing.
- Failure to comply with the requirements (refusal of biometrics) will result in the right to enter the Schengen area.

When crossing the border for the first time after the system is launched, travelers give their four fingerprints (for those aged 12 and over) and take a facial photograph. This data will be stored in the database for three years. This means that biometric data is given once. Then it is stored in the database for 3 years. During these 3 years, you travel and do not give your data again.

The new rules will make border crossings more controlled, technologically advanced, and safe for all travelers.


Consultation on any issues

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