As of Friday, April 10, EU member states will begin the full application of the entry and exit system – EES (Entry/Exit System), ending its gradual introduction and switching to exclusively digital recording of crossings of the external borders of the Schengen area, reported the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Croatia.
“For the citizens of Croatia and other EU citizens, there are no changes other than greater security. The biggest news relates to travelers from third countries,” Croatian Interior Minister Davor Božinović said in a statement on Facebook.
Instead of the previous stamping of passports, all data will be recorded digitally, including travel documents and biometric data. This enables precise monitoring of the permitted stay, makes it difficult to use forged documents, and automatically detects overstaying. In addition, member states will for the first time exchange data on border crossings in real time, which further strengthens security, Božinović pointed out.
He said that Croatia is already actively involved in the system with around 3.7 million registered passengers and approximately 10 percent of denied entries, which confirms the consistent implementation of Schengen rules.
Although crowds can be expected during the summer season due to the collection of biometric data, the border crossings are additionally equipped and organized in order to reduce waiting times to a minimum, said Božinović.
EES is one of the key information systems of the European Union in the area of border management, which modernizes and improves border control for citizens of third countries who enter the Schengen area for a short-term stay.
The gradual introduction of the system began on October 12, 2025, which enabled member states to adapt technical systems and procedures and train officials, and from April 10, 2026, the system will be applied in full in all member states, announced the Croatian Ministry of Interior, reports Hina.
