Kenyans Visiting Europe to Undergo Biometric Entry Checks Starting October

From 12 October 2025, Kenyan citizens travelling to Europe will be required to undergo biometric registration at border checkpoints as the European Union introduces its new Entry/Exit System (EES).

The EES will be implemented across 29 European countries, including all Schengen Area member states. It will apply to all non-EU nationals entering Europe for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, covering travel for tourism, business, or family visits.

Under the new system, personal and biometric data will be collected at the border, replacing manual passport stamping. This includes information from travel documents, the date and location of entry and exit, as well as biometric identifiers such as facial images and fingerprints.

Travellers entering without a visa will be required to provide four fingerprints and a facial scan. Those holding a Schengen visa will only need to provide a facial image, as fingerprint data is already collected during the visa application process.

The European Commission has stated that the EES is intended to strengthen border security and improve the management of external borders by electronically tracking entries and exits. The system will automatically detect overstays and alert authorities.

Border officers will carry out most of the data collection, although some entry points will use self-service kiosks or mobile apps to speed up processing. Travellers are advised to check with airlines or consular offices for specific procedures at their destination.

The full rollout of the EES is expected to be completed by 10 April 2026.