by InTrieste
Italy began implementing the European Union’s new digital border control system, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), on Sunday at its two busiest airports — Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa — marking the start of a gradual rollout across the country.
The system, which will eventually be introduced throughout the Schengen Area, is designed to record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals traveling for short stays. It applies to visitors from countries outside the European Union, including the United Kingdom, whether they require a visa or not.
Under the new procedure, travelers crossing external Schengen borders will have their fingerprints and facial images registered electronically, replacing the long-standing practice of manually stamping passports. The European Union says the measure will strengthen security, prevent identity fraud, and automatically calculate the number of days travelers have spent in the Schengen Zone to ensure compliance with the 90-day limit for short stays.
British citizens living in Italy are exempt from registering in the system, provided they can show proof of residence — either a carta di soggiorno or, for those who settled in Italy before January 1, 2021, a permesso di soggiorno. The British embassy in Rome has advised travelers to carry these documents when entering or leaving the country.
While the EES is expected to make border checks more efficient in the long term, officials and travel experts have warned that initial implementation may cause longer wait times as travelers submit their biometric information for the first time.
The system will be phased in gradually across Europe and is expected to be fully operational by April 10, 2026. More information is available on the official EES website.
