Estonia Becomes First EU State to Operate EES at All Borders
Estonia is set to become the first European Union (EU) country fully prepared to operate the bloc’s new Entry-Exit System (EES) across all border checkpoints when it goes live on October 12, 2025.
The EES will automate the recording of entries and exits for non-EU travellers, including UK citizens, replacing the manual passport stamping process. On their first entry into the Schengen Area, travellers will need to provide biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images. Future crossings will require only facial recognition.
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board has confirmed that all border points, including Tallinn Airport, major seaports, and road and rail crossings with Russia, are equipped and ready for EES operations from day one. The only exception is the Värska–Saatse road, a minor gravel route briefly passing through Russian territory, which remains outside the system.
Estonia’s preparedness is no coincidence. The country hosts the headquarters of eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for managing large-scale IT systems such as the EES, ETIAS, and Eurodac. Officials say this proximity has accelerated Estonia’s technical rollout and staff training.
A Contrast With the Rest of Europe
While Estonia will launch EES nationwide, many larger EU states are still scaling up their systems. Germany will start with just one operational checkpoint at Düsseldorf Airport, and Luxembourg, despite declaring readiness, manages only a single external border point at Findel Airport.
During the transition period, travellers may still face both EES registration and manual passport stamping until all Schengen countries complete the switch to the new system.
The EES is designed to make Schengen borders more secure and efficient by automatically tracking each traveller’s time spent in the area, a move expected to simplify enforcement of the 90-days-in-180 rule for short stays. However, officials warn that travellers should anticipate longer processing times in the early weeks as border staff adjust to the new technology.
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