Starting on October 12, 2025, all Croatian airports will implement the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital system that will replace manual passport stamping for third-country nationals. This is a joint European Union project that will be applied at all external borders of the Schengen area, covering 29 member states. The EES aims to modernize border control procedures, reduce waiting times, and enhance the overall security and accuracy of travel records.
The system applies exclusively to travelers who are not citizens of EU member states and who are entering the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days within 180 days, regardless of whether they require a visa or not. Upon their first entry into the EU after the system becomes operational, travelers will be required to complete a registration process, which includes providing personal data and having their facial image and fingerprints taken. This information will be stored in a digital database and used for verification during future border crossings.
Registration can be completed using self-service kiosks available at airports or directly with a border control officer. In some countries, travelers will also be able to pre-register certain information through an official mobile application, further reducing processing time at the border. Every traveler will still need to confirm their identity with a border control officer upon crossing, regardless of the method of registration.
For travelers who have already crossed an EU external border after the system’s implementation, EES will automatically recognize their biometric data, meaning that during subsequent trips, only the existing records will be verified and no new registration will be required. As a result, the entry process will be faster and more convenient, especially for those holding biometric passports that allow the use of automated e-gate systems.
The EES will record the exact time and location of each entry and exit from the Schengen area, as well as any instances of refused entry, automatically monitoring the maximum allowed duration of stay. The system does not apply to EU citizens, holders of residence permits or long-term visas, nor, in the case of Croatia, to citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina who also hold EU citizenship.
With the introduction of the EES, Croatian airports—together with other European partners—will transition to a fully digital border management model that ensures greater efficiency, faster procedures, and improved personal data protection. Travelers are advised to check in advance whether self-service kiosks or mobile applications are available in their country of departure or arrival to make the registration process as smooth as possible.
