Austria to Activate EU Entry/Exit System at Borders by April 10

Austria has announced the final steps toward the full activation of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) at its air, land and rail borders. The system will become fully operational on April 10, making the collection of biometric data from non-EU travellers mandatory at all border checkpoints.

The EU Entry/Exit System is designed to improve border management and track the movement of visitors entering the Schengen area on short-term visas. Once implemented, the system will automatically record travellers’ entry and exit details and calculate the total length of their stay within Schengen countries.

This automated process will help authorities quickly identify visitors who remain in the region beyond the permitted duration of their visas. The new system will also remove the “grace days” that travellers previously benefited from when passport stamps were unclear or unreadable.

Austrian authorities stated that additional frequently asked questions about the EES will be published in English by March 20 to help travellers better understand the new system and its procedures.

Officials also clarified that travellers holding a valid Austrian long-stay Visa D and those with residence permits will not be required to register in the European EES system.

To support the rollout of the system, Austria has already upgraded its technological infrastructure at major airports. The updates have been completed at Vienna International Airport, as well as at the airports of Innsbruck and Salzburg. Similar upgrades at Graz and Linz airports are expected to be finished by March 25.

With these preparations in place, Austria is moving toward full compliance with the EU’s digital border management system, which aims to strengthen security and improve monitoring of short-term travellers entering the Schengen area.