For travellers from third countries the digital registration replaces the stamp.
Feldkirchen bei Graz, 27.11.2025: Travellers from non-EU countries face new procedures when leaving or entering the EU: The new EES (Entry-Exit-System) registers them digitally including biometrical data. This shall ensure that entry and exit regulations are complied with. Since yesterday Graz Airport has been in the test phase.
Until April 2026 the European Union is supposed to progressively use a modern IT system according to an existing time plan at its external borders for recording entries and exits of third country travellers. The so-called EES is a fully automated system for collecting and controlling personal data. The stamp used so far is hence being replaced among other things by recording biometrical data such as fingerprints and facial image.
Graz Airport has been preparing some time already for the EES. The border control point was equipped with the necessary hardware such as fingerprint reader and camera panel.
„The new system is certainly a bit of a challenge or all involved”, Jürgen Löschnig, Managing Director of Graz Airport explains. „We did all necessary preliminary work early enough and are well prepared. Nevertheless, especially in the initial phase longer waiting times at border control can be expected for third country nationals”.
At Graz Airport the border control officer scans the passport, then biometrical data (fingerprints and facial image) are matched with the passport. The entry data is then stored in a uniform Schengen wide data base.
The system is applied to travellers from third countries who are starting a short-term stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area and either have a short-term visa or are entitled to visa-free travelling.
Further information in different languages can be found on the website of the ministry: Got o Entry/Exit System (BMI)
