From October 12, 2025, a new digital system for border crossing management – the Entry/Exit System (EES) – will start working at the Ukrainian-Slovak border. This system will affect travelers with short-term stays in the EU and will automate the recording of their entries and exits.
EES launch schedule at border crossings:
October 12: Čierna nad Tisou – Chop, Maťovce – Pavlovce
October 21: Ubľa – Maly Berezny
October 23: Veľké Slemence – Malé Slemence
October 28: Vyšné Nemecké – Uzhhorod
What will change for travelers:
Automatic registration of non-EU citizens each time they cross the external borders of the Schengen Area countries.
Mandatory biometric identification: face scan and four fingerprints.
Manual passport stamping will be discontinued.
Recording of information about entries, exits, and refusals to cross the border.
Who it concerns:
Citizens of countries that are not members of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Short-term stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
When crossing the border, travelers will use self-service terminals, similar to those in airports for checking boarding passes. Passports or other travel documents will need to be scanned, and face scans and fingerprint collection procedures will also be required. Biometric data will be stored for three years and will be valid for multiple trips.
The system does not affect individuals with long-term visas or residence permits in the EU.
Further changes
Although the EES has already started working, an adaptation period will be in effect until April 10, 2026, during which passports will still be stamped at some points. The EU's plan is for this innovation to speed up border crossings and improve security by making it harder for criminals, terrorists, or spies to use forged documents. However, some countries fear that initially, electronic checks may take longer than manual control.
After the full launch of EES, the ETIAS system is expected to be introduced – an electronic travel authorization for citizens of "visa-free" countries. After filling out an application and paying a fee of 7 euros, travelers will be able to visit the EU multiple times for three years without re-paying.
Thus, the EES system will be an important step towards modernizing border control and increasing the security of travel to the Schengen Area countries.
