Key Takeaways:
- Copenhagen Airport has fully implemented the EU's Entry and Exit System (EES).
- Non-EU travelers arriving from or leaving the Schengen Area must now provide fingerprints and a facial photo.
- The system aims to replace manual passport stamps and improve information sharing between EU states.
- Processing times may initially be longer, but authorities report a smooth roll-out.
After more than 12 years in development and multiple delays, the EU's new Entry and Exit System (EES) is now fully operational at Copenhagen Airport. The system went live early Friday morning, affecting all travelers arriving in and departing from Denmark.
Police Inspector Claus Birkelyng from Copenhagen Police noted that while processing times might be slightly longer for non-Schengen citizens due to the biometric registration, authorities are "in general, happy with the way it has been rolled out." The system has already been fully implemented at other Danish airports.
What Is the EES and How Does It Work?
The EES is an automated, digital border management system. Its primary goals are to:
- Replace the manual stamping of passports for non-EU citizens.
- Enhance security and information-sharing between the 27 EU member states.
- Accurately track the duration of short stays in the Schengen Area.
When a third-country national (a citizen from outside the EU/Schengen) crosses an external Schengen border, border authorities will use an automated kiosk to create or update an individual file. This file contains:
- Passport number
- Four fingerprints
- A facial photograph
This data is stored in a central digital system and is normally deleted after three years.
Who Needs to Register and What's the Process?
The new requirement applies to citizens of non-EU countries who are:
- Not residents of Denmark or another Schengen country.
- Traveling for a short stay of less than 90 days (tourists, business travelers).
Exemptions include:
- Citizens of the EU and the four additional Schengen countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).
- Non-EU citizens who hold a valid residence permit or right of residence in Denmark (though they must carry their residence card).
- Children under the age of twelve (exempt from fingerprints, but must be registered).
- Holders of long-stay Schengen visas.
The biometric registration is a one-time procedure upon first entry into or exit from the Schengen Area under the EES. On subsequent trips, border guards will simply verify your identity by comparing your live biometrics with the data on file.
Important Considerations for Residents and Travelers
If you are a third-country national with a Danish residence permit that expires while you are in the country, immigration authorities recommend proactively having an EES file created if you plan to stay or travel in the Schengen Area for a short period afterward.
This is generally possible for nationals of visa-free countries. The benefit is avoiding potential delays when you eventually depart, as the biometric data submission at the border could take extra time.
Note: If a third-country national is later granted a residence permit in Denmark (or another Schengen country) after an EES file exists, that file will be deleted by the issuing immigration authority.
The full implementation at Copenhagen, Denmark's busiest international airport, marks a significant step in the EU's journey toward a more unified and digitally secure external border.