Australians travelling to Europe could face longer queues at border checkpoints due to the introduction of a new registration system for non-EU nationals.

From October 12, travellers entering the 29 countries of the Schengen Zone will need to register under the European Union’s new digital border management system, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES).

The Schengen Zone includes most EU countries, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. It allows travellers to move freely within member countries without border checks. However, the United Kingdom is not part of Schengen, meaning travellers must still go through border control when entering the UK.

The EES will apply to all non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Zone for short stays of up to 90 days. The system will record personal information such as passport details, fingerprints, and facial images, replacing the old passport-stamping process.

According to the EU, the new system aims to make travel more efficient, prevent irregular migration, and strengthen border security. Authorities will also be able to use biometric data to identify fake identities, detect overstays, and improve counter-terrorism and crime prevention efforts.

Australians travelling to Schengen countries will need to register their details, scan their fingerprints, and have a photo taken. To speed up the process, some airports and borders will provide self-service kiosks or mobile app options.

The rollout will begin gradually on October 12, 2025, with full implementation across all external Schengen borders expected by 10th of April 2026.

The Australian Government’s Smartraveller service has warned that travellers should expect delays, noting: “You’ll need to register at borders and have your fingerprint and photo taken. There may be longer border queues.”