Vienna Airport Introduces EU Entry-Exit System for Enhanced Border Control
The Vienna International Airport in Schwechat is preparing to implement the European Union's new Entry-Exit System (EES), a significant step in modernizing border management for travelers from non-EU countries. The phased rollout of the EES will begin at Vienna Airport, with other major Austrian airports, including Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz, and Klagenfurt, to follow in the coming weeks.
The EES is an advanced automated IT system designed to register and monitor travelers from non-EU countries who intend to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days. Upon entry and exit at Schengen external borders, the system will record essential data, including biometric information such as fingerprints and facial images, as well as time and location of border crossings.
In Austria, the new system will be initially available at international airports. Following Vienna, the EES will be introduced at Salzburg Airport on 12 November, Innsbruck Airport on 19 November, Graz Airport on 26 November, and both Linz and Klagenfurt airports by early December. This sequential implementation aims to ensure a smooth transition and address any operational challenges during the initial phase.
According to Austrian authorities, the EES is a cornerstone of the EU's broader asylum and migration reform package. The system is expected to significantly enhance border security, combat illegal migration, and streamline the registration process for travelers from non-EU countries. With the EES, the traditional practice of manually stamping passports will be replaced by automated digital registration, resulting in greater efficiency and reliability at border checkpoints.
The Vienna International Airport has made a substantial investment of approximately 16 million euros to facilitate the introduction of the EES. This includes the installation of 52 self-service registration kiosks and 72 border control booths. The airport's management has reported a two-year preparation period to ensure seamless integration of the new system. Approximately 10 percent of annual passengers--equivalent to around three to 3.5 million individuals--travel from third countries and will be subject to the new entry and exit procedures.
As the system is being rolled out, a six-month pilot phase is planned to allow authorities and airport staff to address potential technical issues and optimize operations. Officials emphasize that the EES is part of a networked, EU-wide approach to border management, introducing a standardized protocol for all member states. The move is intended to bolster the security and robustness of the EU's external borders.
Once fully operational, the EES will require all non-EU travelers entering or leaving the Schengen Area to provide biometric data at their first and last border crossings within the zone. This will create a unified database, enhancing the ability of authorities to monitor overstays and detect identity fraud. Privacy concerns have been addressed by officials, who assure compliance with European data protection regulations.
The complete implementation of the EES is scheduled for April 2026, when the system will be mandatory at all Schengen external border crossing points, including land and sea borders. This initiative marks a significant advancement in European border security and represents a transition to a more technologically advanced, secure, and efficient system for managing the movement of travelers across the continent.