Switzerland Launching New Entry/Exit System (EES) in October 2025

European border control is undergoing a major transformation. From 12 October 2025, the European Union will begin the phased introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) – a new, biometric-based digital border system that will replace manual passport stamps for most non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen Area. As Switzerland participates in Schengen as an EFTA member, travellers to Switzerland will also be affected by these changes.

This article explains how the EES works, when it will be implemented, who is affected, and what visitors to Switzerland should expect.

What Is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The Entry/Exit System is an EU-wide automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals every time they cross an external Schengen border. Instead of receiving an ink stamp, travellers’ details will be recorded digitally, including their name, passport information, fingerprints, facial image, and the date and place of entry or exit.

The introduction of biometric registration is intended to make border checks more secure, reduce identity fraud, and automatically detect overstays of the 90-days in any 180-day period Schengen rule. For travellers to Switzerland without a residence permit, this will become the standard procedure when entering or leaving the country.

Why Is the EU Introducing Biometric Border Checks?

For decades, passport stamps were the only way to monitor short stays in the Schengen Area. However, this system was inconsistent and prone to errors. Officials sometimes missed stamping passports or stamped them incorrectly, and travellers had to calculate their permitted days manually.

With the EES, biometric verification will ensure that the person presenting a passport is the rightful holder. Authorities will also have a complete and accurate record of movements across all 29 Schengen countries. The aim is to enhance security, simplify enforcement of Schengen visa rules, and ultimately make travel smoother for genuine visitors.

Rollout Timeline in Switzerland and the Schengen Area

The EES will not appear everywhere at once. Instead, it will be introduced gradually over a six-month period.

• 12 October 2025 – Initial Launch: The first EES kiosks will appear at major airports and land borders. In Switzerland, Geneva, Zurich, and Basel airports are expected to be among the first locations where the new technology is installed.

• By April 2026 – Full Implementation: All external Schengen borders, including airports, land crossings, and seaports, will be using EES exclusively. From this point onward, manual passport stamping will end for non-EU travellers entering or leaving Switzerland and other Schengen countries.

  
  

During the transition period, some border points will still use passport stamps, so travellers may encounter a mixture of old and new procedures until April 2026.

How Will the EES Work for Travellers Entering Switzerland?

First Trip After October 2025

If you are a non-EU or non-EFTA traveller visiting Switzerland for the first time after the EES goes live, you will need to register your biometric and personal details at the border. At airports, this usually means stopping at a self-service kiosk before passport control, where you will scan your passport, provide fingerprints, and have a photo taken. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but may still have a facial image captured.

Once registered, you will proceed to a border guard who will verify your details. The initial registration process may take a few minutes longer than the traditional stamping method.

Subsequent Trips

For future visits, your information will already be stored in the EES central database for up to three years since your last trip. Instead of full re-enrolment, you will simply confirm your identity with a fingerprint or facial scan, making repeat crossings quicker.

Exits from Switzerland

EES will log departures as well as arrivals. This ensures that the system records the length of stay precisely, helping authorities identify overstays more effectively.

No More Passport Stamps

Once fully implemented, Swiss border officers will no longer stamp passports at entry or exit. The digital record will serve as proof of travel history.

Who Is Exempt from the EES?

Not every traveller will be subject to biometric registration. If you hold a valid Swiss residence permit, or a residence permit from another EU or EFTA country, you will not need to register with EES. You will continue to present your passport and permit at the border as usual.

EU/EFTA citizens, including Swiss nationals, are also exempt as they enjoy free movement rights. Dual nationals can choose to travel on their EU/EFTA passport to avoid the EES, but if they use a non-EU passport (such as a British or American passport), they will be subject to the system.

The Benefits and Challenges of the New System

The EES promises several long-term benefits for both governments and travellers:

• Stronger security and fraud prevention: Biometric checks will make it harder for individuals to use false identities.

• Automatic detection of overstays: Authorities will immediately know if someone has exceeded the 90/180-day Schengen rule.

• Faster crossings in the long term: Once enrolled, repeat travellers can use self-service kiosks or e-gates to speed through border control.

• Reliable travel history: A complete electronic record will replace the sometimes inconsistent stamp system.

However, travellers should be aware of likely short-term challenges. In the early months, queues at airports may be longer as passengers and staff adapt to the new system. Enrolling biometrics for first-time travellers will take additional time, particularly during peak travel seasons.

Practical Tips for Travellers to Switzerland

If you are planning to visit Switzerland in late 2025 or early 2026, it is wise to prepare for the new procedures. Expect biometric registration on arrival at Zurich, Geneva, and Basel airports. Allow extra time for border clearance, especially in the initial months of rollout. Carry your passport and any relevant permits, and do not be surprised if you still receive a passport stamp at certain crossings during the transition period.

No pre-travel registration is required, although the EU is developing an optional mobile app for pre-submission of some details. This may be available on a trial basis in 2026, but fingerprint collection will always take place in person at the border.

Conclusion

The introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System in October 2025 marks a significant step in the digitalisation of European border control. For visitors to Switzerland, it means replacing manual passport stamps with biometric registration and automated record-keeping. While the early stages may involve longer waits at airports, the system is expected to provide greater security, more accurate monitoring of stays, and eventually a faster, more convenient experience for repeat travellers.

For now, the best advice is to stay informed, allow extra time at passport control, and be prepared to register your biometrics the first time you arrive in Switzerland after October 2025.