Safer and Faster Borders: Will the New EES Facilitate Travel to Schengen Countries?

(Patria) - Starting October 12, 2025, Schengen countries will gradually introduce a new, technologically advanced border control system – the Entry-Exit System (EES). The new system enables faster and more efficient identity checks at borders, and the travel process itself will be simpler and safer for all travelers, including citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The EES uses biometric data – travelers will scan four fingerprints and have their face photographed upon their first border crossing within a three-year period. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been issuing biometric passports since 2009, which was one of the conditions for visa-free travel to Schengen.

The introduction of the system will take place over six months, allowing travelers and authorities to adapt to the new digital processes. Self-service systems at borders will replace traditional passport stamps, thereby reducing queues and allowing border services to focus on more complex tasks.

Data collected through the EES will be protected according to high EU standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). None of the new measures will reintroduce visa obligations for BiH citizens, and the introduction of the EES, along with the future ETIAS system, contributes to greater travel security in Schengen.

Schengen countries expect the new system to facilitate travel for BiH citizens while simultaneously improving border security across Europe.