The EU's long-delayed Entry and Exit System (EES) is a biometric border control scheme, which involves taking fingerprints and facial scans from non-EU travellers. It is set to gradually replace the current system of manual passport stamps, and has already been introduced at many of Germany's major airports.
As mandated by the EU, the roll-out of EES checks was to begin on October 12th, 2025 with the system to be implemented at more and more Schengen border entry points until mid-April. By the end of this period EES should be fully operational at all of Germany's international airports.
Here are the airports where EES checks are already happening, according to Germany's Ministry of the Interior (BMI).
Which airports have already launched EES?
Düsseldorf airport was the first German airport to implement the new system, having launched EES checks on October 12th.
A spokesperson for Düsseldorf airport previously told The Local that "the non-EU zones had been expanded" ahead of the EES launch that new signage and routing were designed "to make it as easy as possible for travellers to find their way around".
Germany's two largest airports had been next in line to launch the new checkpoints. Frankfurt airport officially started using the EES system on October 29th, and then Munich airport had launched EES checks on November 11th.
A BMI spokesperson confirmed to The Local that Hanover and Cologne/Bonn Airports began operations at the beginning of the month on December 1st.
Then EES was introduced at the airports in Berlin-Brandenburg, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Dortmund on December 2nd.
READ ALSO: How Brits in Germany can prove they are exempt from EES border checks
Leipzig/Halle Airport was scheduled to begin EES operations on December 10th.
The spokesperson further confirmed that "no later than April 9th...EES will be fully operational at all German border crossing points on the Schengen external borders."
How to prepare
Citizens and residents of Germany are not affected by the EES system. It is designed specifically for people from non-EU countries who are entering countries in the Schengen zone as tourists or for a short-term stay.
Do note that if you are not a citizen or resident of an EU country you will be required to register with EES, even if you already have a 90-day Schengen visa.
READ ALSO: Travel to Germany - Your questions answered about EES And ETIAS
If you do need to do an EES check there's no need to worry. It's essentially the same as a standard airport border check, with the addition of including fingerprint scans and a photo.
If you have a biometric passport you may be able to use an automated EES machine. Otherwise you'll need to do the check with an available border guard.
If it's your first time at an EES check point, you'll need to provide some personal information. It's recommended to complete an EES pre-registration before arriving at the border to speed up this process.
But once you have completed the registration you will not need to do that again until you get a new passport, and you should be able to identify yourself at Schengen border check points by simply scanning your passport.
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