Lucrezia Ciotti Tomorrow, Sunday, October 12, 2025, marks a momentous change in European border controls: with the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), the European Union is replacing traditional passport stamps with digital procedures based on biometric data. Italy will be among the first countries to test this method, involving several airports and bring it into a pilot phase that anticipates the gradual extension to the entire national network.
Here are all new rules.
Airports, new travel rules: operation, data management and procedures for travellers
Management of the new work will be entrusted to the Border Police, while the data collected will flow into the central eu-LISA database, based in Tallinn, which coordinates information from the 25 Schengen countries and four associated states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
I non-EU travellers They will have to scan their passport, provide fingerprints, and a photograph; children under 12 will be exempt from fingerprinting. Some airports will offer self-service kiosks or dedicated apps to simplify the process. After the initial registration, checks will be speeded up thanks to automatic comparison with existing data.
I holders of electronic passports They will be able to use automatic checkpoints marked with a golden camera symbol. During the initial phase, delays are expected at major airports, while authorities advise passengers to arrive at the airport early. collected data will be kept for three years and the gradual introduction of the system will allow a progressive transition towards fully digital controls throughout the Schengen area.
Airports, new rules for travel within Europe: checks, EES. What changes starting October 12th
Starting from Sunday 12 October 2025, the European Union will launch a comprehensive review of the Checks border crossing with the entry into operation of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The new digital system will eliminate traditional passport stamps, replacing them with electronic recording of biometric data travellers from non-EU countries, including British citizens.
In Italy, the first airports involved in the pilot phase will be Milan Linate, Milan Malpensa, and Rome Fiumicino, followed later by the ports of Civitavecchia and Genoa. From 20 October Biometric checks will initially apply to approximately 10% of passengers, and will gradually be extended to all passengers by April 2026, as required by Regulation (EU) 2025/1534.
The system aims to speed up and make checks safer, reducing the risk of irregular immigration and monitoring the stay of visitors for short stays of up to 90 days in 180.