Introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES)
Based on the regulation of the European Council, the phased introduction of the EES (Entry/Exit System) system began in Hungary on the 12th of October 2025. EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period), each time they cross the external borders of the European countries that use the EES system. The data of third-country nationals traveling with or without a visa will both be recorded. However, those holding a residence permit are exempt from using the system.
The system will be first implemented at the Hungarian-Ukrainian, then at the Hungarian-Serbian, and finally at the water and air border crossing points. According to the announcement of the Airport, the EES system is scheduled to be introduced at Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport on the 18th of November 2025.
Under the new system, as of the 12th of October 2025, border controls will also include the recording of biometric data (facial images and fingerprints). Upon the first entry, the administrator will create an individual file for the third-country national, in which the biometric data, the data listed in the travel document, the date and place of each entry and exit, and the place and reason for any possible reused entry will be recorded. The data will be stored for 3 years.
The border checks may significantly increase until the full introduction of the EES system and temporarily longer waiting can be expected at priority border crossing points.
The main goal of the EES system is to protect the external borders and prevent illegal immigration, but it also helps to identify people who do not comply with the residence rules. As the system records and stores the date, time and place of entry and exit of the third-country nationals, and calculates the duration of their authorized stay, , with the introduction of the system, it is necessary to pay even greater attention to complying with the duration of the authorized residence and avoiding overstaying in the country, in order to avoid any potential sanctions.
