Airport screenings of passengers embarking on flights within Europe begin in Switzerland
The European Union's Entry and Exit System (EES) is set to commence operation on October 12th, with Zurich and Geneva airports in Switzerland leading the way. This new system aims to streamline border control by automating the identification of wanted persons, those without valid identity documents, and cases of overstaying, such as the 90-day limit.
From October 12th, travellers from outside the EU or Schengen Area, including the UK, US, and Canada, will have to use the new EES system at both Geneva and Zurich airports. Third-country nationals arriving at Geneva Airport from non-Schengen countries will register individually at self-service kiosks.
The registration process at these kiosks is quick and efficient, taking just one or two minutes. Passengers are advised to find out about entry requirements imposed by their airline and the country of destination before departure. An early arrival at the airport is recommended for those using the EES system.
The EES will replace the current manual passport stamp system. Passports will still be required to be presented to an immigration officer, but the electronic registration will replace the manual entry stamp on the travel document. Assistants will be available to help and advise passengers with the registration process.
Zurich airport will gradually roll out the EES scheme in autumn, with the exact launch date to be confirmed in the coming weeks. The EES system will start operating from October 12th at the EuroAirport at Basel-Mulhouse. Smaller airports such as Bern-Belp and Lugano in Switzerland will implement the EES at a later date.
However, there is no publicly available detailed rollout plan for the entry and exit system in Switzerland or official dates for its introduction at other Swiss airports. Therefore, the exact timeline and implementation steps for this system at Swiss airports remain unspecified.
The EES checks will be followed by the introduction of the European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) in the final quarter of 2026. EU and Schengen nationals, as well as non-EU residents living in Switzerland and other Schengen area countries, are exempt from the EES. However, they may still experience extra queues during the transition period.
Passengers are reminded that their biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial scan, will be collected as part of the EES registration process. Both Geneva and Zurich airports will launch an information campaign on the entry system's impact on travellers in the coming weeks.
Travellers should note that their data will be stored for three years, exempting them from registering again if they enter another Schengen zone country during this time. The EES is a significant step towards modernising and securing Europe's borders, and passengers are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new system before travel.
