New EU Border Rules: What Kenyans Travelling to Europe Need to Know

Starting October 12, 2025, Kenyans traveling to Europe will face a major change at border control points. The European Union (EU) will begin rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES) — a digital border management system designed to replace the traditional passport stamping process with biometric registration.

What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The EES is a digital platform that will record the movement of all non-EU nationals, including Kenyans, when entering or leaving 29 European countries, most of them in the Schengen Area.

Instead of manual passport stamps, travellers’ biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial recognition) and passport details will be captured and stored in an electronic file.

Who Will Be Affected?

• All non-EU nationals, including Kenyans.
• Applies to short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.).
• Both visa-free travellers and those with Schengen visas will be subjected to the system.

What Data Will Be Collected?

Passport details (personal data, entry and exit dates, border crossing location).

Facial image and fingerprints:

Visa-free travellers: facial photo + 4 fingerprints.

Visa holders: only facial photo (fingerprints already captured at visa application stage).

Entry status (whether you are admitted or refused).

Why is the EU Introducing EES?

• To digitally track overstays.
• To enhance border security.
• To speed up border checks using kiosks or mobile apps in some locations.
• To gradually replace outdated manual passport stamps.

Key Dates to Remember

• October 12, 2025 – EES officially starts at EU external borders.
• April 10, 2026 – Full rollout across all Schengen countries.

What This Means for Kenyans

• Expect longer checks at border points during the initial transition.
• Ensure your travel documents are valid and biometric details can be taken.
• Overstaying in Europe will be harder to conceal — the system will automatically flag it.
• Always check with your airline or embassy for updated travel guidelines before departure.

The EES marks a historic shift in how Europe handles border crossings. For Kenyans, it means adjusting to biometric data collection but also benefiting from faster, more secure processing once the system is fully established.

👉 If you’re planning to travel to Europe after October 2025, make sure you understand these changes to avoid surprises at the border.