Lithuania will begin rolling out the European Union’s new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) in October, starting with Vilnius Airport, Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič said Tuesday.
The system, which will replace manual passport stamps with electronic records of entries and exits, will be introduced gradually, with full deployment across the country expected by spring 2026.
“We are starting with the airport, which has probably the lowest flow of third-country nationals, and will try to see what problems might arise when this system is in operation,” Kondratovič told reporters at Vilnius Airport. “The entire system is planned to be fully operational by next spring.”
Rustamas Liubajevas, head of the State Border Guard Service, said the rollout will move from Vilnius to other airports, then to seaports, and finally to land border crossings. “It is planned that the entire system will be fully operational in Lithuania within six months,” he said.
The European Commission has set October 12, 2025, as the official launch date for the gradual introduction of the EES across the EU. The system will apply to non-EU nationals entering 29 European countries, including Schengen Associated states, for short stays.
The EES will collect biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images along with travel information. Border guards across the EU will be able to verify electronically how long a third-country national has stayed in the Schengen area.
“Today, we have to use a system of stamps, checking their dates to determine overstays,” Kondratovič said. “In the future, passport stamps will be phased out and all information will be stored electronically.”
The Interior Ministry said travellers will be informed about the new system through information campaigns at airports, border crossing points, and other public venues.
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