30
Mar 2026
Travelers heading to Europe are starting to see a new tool at the border as the European Union rolls out its Entry/Exit System (EES).
The “Travel to Europe” mobile app is now available in more countries, with Portugal joining Sweden in offering the tool to non-EU visitors ahead of stricter biometric border checks.
The app allows eligible travelers to submit passport details and a facial image before arrival, in an effort to reduce time spent at border control.
Officials said that it is part of a broader plan to manage expected congestion as the EES is introduced across 29 countries.
The system became operational on October 12, 2025, with a phased rollout now underway. Full implementation is scheduled for April 10, 2026.
App expands to Portugal
Portugal has begun offering the app to travelers heading to Lisbon Airport, one of Europe’s busiest entry points. The rollout follows earlier adoption in Sweden, where the app was first tested at selected border crossings, including Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
Frontex, the EU’s border agency, developed the app to support member states as they transition to the EES. It grew out of earlier pilot programs at Arlanda and Amsterdam Schiphol airports.
Each country decides whether and how to use the app. Sweden allows travelers to submit passport data, a facial image, and entry-related questions. Portugal currently supports the entry questionnaire function, with the possibility of expanding features later.
Officials said that more countries may adopt the app over time, though capabilities could vary depending on national systems and border procedures.
Pre-registration steps
The app is designed for non-EU nationals who must register under the EES and hold a biometric passport. Travelers can download it from major app stores and begin the process up to 72 hours before their trip.
Users create a journey, select their destination country and border crossing point, and scan their passport. They then take a selfie and answer questions related to their trip before submitting the information.
The system also allows users to add co-travelers, making it possible for families or groups to complete the process together.
EU guidance noted that the app is optional. Travelers are advised to check whether their destination country supports it before relying on the feature.
(Image courtesy of Alexander Shapovalov via iStock)
Border checks still required
Officials have stressed that the app does not replace in-person border checks.
Frontex stated that pre-registration “does not give a traveler an automatic right to cross the EU’s external border.” Travelers must still go through standard procedures when they arrive.
Fingerprint collection remains a required step and must be done at the border in the presence of an officer.
Reports also indicate that even travelers who complete the app process may still need to queue with other non-EU passengers. The app is meant to reduce processing time rather than eliminate waiting altogether.
Airports brace for delays
The app rollout comes as airports prepare for disruption linked to the EES transition.
Industry groups, including IATA, ACI Europe, and Airlines for Europe, have warned that waiting times could stretch to four hours or more during peak travel periods if the system is fully implemented without adjustments.
ACI Europe has reported that waiting times have already increased by up to 70% in some cases, with queues reaching three hours during busy periods.
Authorities have introduced some flexibility in the rollout timeline rather than enforcing full implementation across all locations at once.
Travel advice circulating in the industry urges passengers to arrive at airports at least four hours before departure and to allow extra time for connections.
(Image courtesy of Oleg Elkov via iStock)
Building pressure in Lisbon
Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport is emerging as a key pressure point.
The airport handles more than 35 million passengers a year, making it the busiest in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe. Heavy passenger traffic has already led to long queues at passport control.
One reported case involved a couple missing their flight after getting stuck in extended lines. Authorities have responded by deploying additional personnel during peak travel periods.
Around 80 Public Security Police officers were assigned during the Christmas and New Year period, with further support from the National Republican Guard later added to manage arrivals.
Data, privacy measures
The EU has outlined how personal data is handled within the app.
Travelers retain control of their data until they submit their journey. Border authorities in the destination country can only access the information after submission.
Unsubmitted data is automatically deleted after seven days. Officials said that the system complies with EU data protection rules.
The app is also intended to improve accessibility. Frontex said that it may make the process easier for elderly travelers, children, and people with disabilities by reducing the number of steps required at the border.
(Image courtesy of eggeeggjiew via iStock)
EES, future border systems
The app rollout is tied to a wider shift in EU border management.
The EES will record the entry and exit of non-EU travelers using biometric data, replacing manual passport stamping. It is expected to work alongside the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
ETIAS is expected to launch between October and December 2026, depending on the success of the EES rollout. It will require travelers from more than 60 visa-exempt countries to apply for authorization before traveling.
The authorization is expected to be valid for three years or until the traveler’s passport expires. The current projected fee is €20.
Rollout continues across Europe
The expansion of the “Travel to Europe” app marks an early step in a broader overhaul of EU border controls.
Officials describe it as a tool to manage the transition, not a replacement for existing procedures. Travelers are still expected to face checks and possible delays as systems are introduced and refined.
With more countries likely to adopt the app and peak travel seasons approaching, the coming months are expected to test how well the new system can handle demand at Europe’s borders.
