Schengeni with new travel rules, Kosovo gets affected

The European Union will start implementing a new entry and exit system for citizens who are not from Union countries starting October 12th.

This advanced system known as EES Entry/Exit System will register the biometric data of travelers, including fingerprints and facial image. According to what it reports “The Guardian”, the system will:

Replace manual passport sealing

Record date and time of login and exit

Grab biometric data like fingerprints and facial image (only one of these)

Automatically account length of allowed stay

Signals member states in cases of prolonged attitudes

These rules will affect citizens of Western Balkan countries as well: Kosovo, Albania, Northern Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, which currently enjoy visa-free regime for short entry into the Schengen zone.

The new system, will replace the manual sealing of passports and allow border authorities to automatically control the duration of the residence allowed for tourists and business travellers.

The system will begin to implement gradually for six months and is expected to become fully operational in January 2026.

The machines for fingerprinting have already been set at several crossing points, including the Eurostar terminal in London and the Port of Dover.

The European Commission says this system will boost border security and accelerate the process for regular travellers.