Let's start out with some definitions. The Schengen Zone is a zone of free travel between most EU countries - it also includes EEA members and Switzerland. Ireland and Cyprus are not members of the Schengen Agreement, and as such this article does not apply to requirements to visit Ireland and Cyprus - those countries remain biometric-free for travelers with passports that allow visa-free travel.
This article applies to: 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, ðŸ‡ðŸ‡· Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czechia, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, ðŸ‡ðŸ‡º Hungary, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇠Switzerland.
This article does not apply to: 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇨🇾 Cyprus.
From October 12th 2025, the EU may require all non-EU/EEA/Swiss travelers to provide biometrics when entering the Schengen Zone. This system is mandatory for entry into the EU Schengen Zone. This new system is called EES, the Entry/Exit System.
How long will my data be stored?
The European Union prioritizes transparency in data storage, ensuring that personal data is handled with care. Specifically, the EU's EES has clear guidelines for data retention and deletion.
Here are the key points:
- If an exit record exists in the EES, biometric data will be automatically deleted after three years and one day since the last visit.
- If no exit record is found, data will be deleted five years after the last encounter.
The EU is committed to upholding strong fundamental rights protections and civil liberties. Unlike some countries (namely the US), the EU will follow through on its data protection obligations - you can be assured your data will be deleted inline with the law.
As an added layer of protection, EU citizens have the right to request data removal under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you become an EU citizen, you may apply to the data controller to have your data purged from EES as the data is no longer necessary for the purpose it was collected.
Who is this information shared with?
Currently your data stored in EES is not shared with countries outside the EU - however it is unclear if the EU will allow the US DHS access to this data. State Watch has reported the EU is in negotiations with the US to allow DHS to access EU biometric databases in order to retain their Visa Waiver status with the United States. Source: https://www.statewatch.org/news/2025/december/us-access-to-eu-citizens-biometric-data-ministers-approve-eu-negotiating-mandate/
What information is required on exit?
On exit the process is similar to entry. If your data has been collected on the way into the Schengen Zone, they are likely to only request either a facial photograph or fingerprints.
Important Note: EES is technically not a legal requirement to exit the Schengen Zone. You are under no legal obligation to provide biometric information to leave the EU. EES is a condition of entry, not exit - this is confirmed by EU and National Law in respective countries. EU FAQ website linked below.
Border staff are likely to argue this requirement, however the EU and National Immigration Departments have no legal ability to prevent someone from leaving the Schengen Area due to refusing to provide biometrics.