With the EU’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) due to go live EU-wide on 10 April 2026, Brussels Airport has entered the final stretch of preparations. On 15 January the operator confirmed:
• 12 extra manned border booths in arrivals,
• 61 self-service pre-registration kiosks for non-EU travellers, and
• 36 e-gates equipped with facial-recognition cameras.
All 33 fixed counters now have upgraded camera hardware, and Federal Police will shortly authorise e-gate use by passengers from selected ‘trusted’ third-country groups. Schengen citizens will continue to use existing lanes without additional formalities.
![Brussels Airport installs 61 biometric kiosks and 36 e-gates ahead of EU Entry/Exit System]()
Why it matters
1. Queue management: Brussels handled 22 million passengers in 2025; kiosk roll-out is designed to keep first-time biometric enrolment under two minutes to avoid missed connections.
2. Corporate travel: companies must brief business travellers that passport stamping ends this year; visit duration will instead be tracked electronically.
3. Data protection: Belgian authorities say facial images and fingerprints will be stored for three years, falling under EU GDPR rules.
If you need help confirming whether your passport or visa status meets the new EES requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers travellers and mobility managers a quick compliance check, personalised visa guidance, and bulk management tools that keep everyone informed before they reach the e-gates.
Airlines are invited to take part in off-peak trials in February. Airport HR is hiring 75 additional agents to direct passengers and troubleshoot kiosk errors during the bedding-in phase. Mobility managers should allow slightly longer connection times at BRU from March and update traveller communications to explain the new enrolment steps.
• 12 extra manned border booths in arrivals,
• 61 self-service pre-registration kiosks for non-EU travellers, and
• 36 e-gates equipped with facial-recognition cameras.
All 33 fixed counters now have upgraded camera hardware, and Federal Police will shortly authorise e-gate use by passengers from selected ‘trusted’ third-country groups. Schengen citizens will continue to use existing lanes without additional formalities.
Why it matters
1. Queue management: Brussels handled 22 million passengers in 2025; kiosk roll-out is designed to keep first-time biometric enrolment under two minutes to avoid missed connections.
2. Corporate travel: companies must brief business travellers that passport stamping ends this year; visit duration will instead be tracked electronically.
3. Data protection: Belgian authorities say facial images and fingerprints will be stored for three years, falling under EU GDPR rules.
If you need help confirming whether your passport or visa status meets the new EES requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) offers travellers and mobility managers a quick compliance check, personalised visa guidance, and bulk management tools that keep everyone informed before they reach the e-gates.
Airlines are invited to take part in off-peak trials in February. Airport HR is hiring 75 additional agents to direct passengers and troubleshoot kiosk errors during the bedding-in phase. Mobility managers should allow slightly longer connection times at BRU from March and update traveller communications to explain the new enrolment steps.
