Austria has announced the final steps for implementing the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) across its land, air, and rail borders, making it mandatory for non-EU travellers to provide biometric data at all border checkpoints starting 10 April.
The EES is designed to automatically track the duration of stay for visitors holding short-term Schengen visas, helping authorities identify overstays. The system also removes the previous “grace days” that could occur when passport stamps were unclear.
Austrian authorities have indicated that a detailed FAQ guide in English will be released by 20 March to help travellers navigate the new system.
Travellers holding a valid Austrian long-stay visa D or residence permit will not need to register in the EES. Austrian border officials have also upgraded technological systems at Vienna International Airport, as well as the airports in Innsbruck and Salzburg, with updates at Graz and Linz airports expected to be completed by 25 March.
This rollout marks a key milestone in enhancing border security and streamlining travel within the Schengen area, ensuring more accurate tracking and improved compliance with EU entry regulations.
