One month after the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) went live, UAE passport holders and residents are settling into a new biometric routine at Schengen borders. From November 1, travellers arriving in France, Germany and 27 other Schengen states must provide fingerprints and a facial scan on their first trip; subsequent crossings are verified against the stored data.
Early reports show mixed experiences. Dubai-based corporate travellers to Paris say wait times at Charles de Gaulle have doubled during peak hours, although e-gates for pre-enrolled passengers are speeding up subsequent trips. Airlines including Emirates and Etihad now advise passengers to arrive at least 45 minutes earlier for European flights.
![Schengen Biometric Entry/Exit System Enters First Full Month—What UAE Travellers Have Learned]()
The digital stamps are already proving useful for compliance: frequent flyers can download their entry/exit log via an EU portal, simplifying proof-of-presence for tax and visa-overstay calculations. However, glitches remain. Some border posts still issue manual stamps, causing confusion when the electronic record shows a different date. EU agency eu-LISA says system stabilisation will continue through Q1 2026.
Travel-management companies recommend that UAE businesses brief staff on the new rules, ensure passports have at least three months’ validity beyond the return date, and budget extra transfer time on multi-city itineraries. The EES is also a precursor to the ETIAS travel authorisation, now set for late 2026, meaning another layer of paperwork is on the horizon.
For mobility managers, the key takeaway is proactive compliance: store biometric confirmation receipts, track 90/180-day Schengen stays rigorously, and educate travellers on airport procedures to avoid missed meetings.
Early reports show mixed experiences. Dubai-based corporate travellers to Paris say wait times at Charles de Gaulle have doubled during peak hours, although e-gates for pre-enrolled passengers are speeding up subsequent trips. Airlines including Emirates and Etihad now advise passengers to arrive at least 45 minutes earlier for European flights.
The digital stamps are already proving useful for compliance: frequent flyers can download their entry/exit log via an EU portal, simplifying proof-of-presence for tax and visa-overstay calculations. However, glitches remain. Some border posts still issue manual stamps, causing confusion when the electronic record shows a different date. EU agency eu-LISA says system stabilisation will continue through Q1 2026.
Travel-management companies recommend that UAE businesses brief staff on the new rules, ensure passports have at least three months’ validity beyond the return date, and budget extra transfer time on multi-city itineraries. The EES is also a precursor to the ETIAS travel authorisation, now set for late 2026, meaning another layer of paperwork is on the horizon.
For mobility managers, the key takeaway is proactive compliance: store biometric confirmation receipts, track 90/180-day Schengen stays rigorously, and educate travellers on airport procedures to avoid missed meetings.
