Implementation of the EES System at external borders of European Union; Moldovan Foreign Affairs Ministry unveils new rules of entry to EU states

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will become operational in the European Union states starting from October 12. This is a modern electronic control tool implemented at the EU's external borders - land crossings, airports and seaports.

According to the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), the EES is applicable only to third-country nationals who make short stays - up to 90 days within any 180-day period, on EU territory. The system will record the date and place of entry and exit, and will collect alphanumeric and biometric data - facial images and four fingerprints. At the same time, it will automatically calculate the duration of legal stay.

“The European countries which use the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders, with the full implementation scheduled by April 10, 2026. On the transition period, passports will continue to be manually stamped. The system's implementation aims to modernize and streamline border control, enhance security in the Schengen area and prevent illegal stays without altering the present  travel rights,” the MAE said.

At the first entry after the system's activation, biometric data will be collected, and in subsequent travels, verification will be automatic, reducing waiting times. Children under 12, individuals for whom fingerprint collection is impossible, as well as holders of residency permits or long-stay visas issued by an EU member state, are exempt from the procedure.

The MAE also reminds that the visa-free regime for Moldovan citizens remains unchanged. However, considering that the data collection process will require additional time, at the travel planning stage, it is recommended to: check the validity of travel documents; allocate extra time for border formalities; avoid overly short stopovers.

The gradual introduction of the system will be managed individually by each EU member state. In the context, authorities recommend that citizens consult in advance the websites of border authorities and embassies in Moldova from EU member states which they intend to visit.