The EES system will start operating on the border with Hungary: what will change for Ukrainians

Hungary has begun implementing a new entry and exit control system, EES, which completely changes the border crossing process for citizens of non-EU countries. Learn how the EES system works and what to expect when crossing the Hungarian border

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A new electronic entry and exit control system, EES (Entry/Exit System), has been launched on the border between Ukraine and Hungary. It is part of a pan-European programme that replaces traditional passport stamps with digital records and adds a biometric identification stage. Now, every entry and exit across the external borders of the Schengen area is automatically recorded, and the data is stored in a common European Union database. This was reported by the State Border Service of Ukraine.

Border guards noted that the new system began operating on 12 October at the Beregsurany-Luzhanka checkpoint. Since 21 October, Ukrainians have been required to provide fingerprints at the Zakhon-Chop checkpoint, and now the new rules have been extended to other checkpoints.

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How the border crossing procedure will change

For Ukrainians who frequently cross the border with Hungary — whether for travel, work or transit — the changes will be noticeable from the very first trips. When passing through control, they no longer stamp your passport. Instead, at the border, you will need to scan your foreign passport, take a photo and submit your fingerprints. The procedure takes a few minutes and is only done once — on your first entry. After that, the system will automatically recognise the traveller on subsequent crossings.

The main goal of the innovation is to increase security and simplify the control of foreigners' stays. The EES system records the moment of entry and exit, which allows for accurate tracking of compliance with the visa-free limit — no more than 90 days of stay within a 180-day period. Now it will be impossible to violate the terms or ‘get lost’ in the database, as all movements will be stored digitally and available to the border services of EU countries.

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What this means for Ukrainians

For Ukrainian citizens, this is not the abolition of visa-free travel, but a transition to a more modern and transparent form of control. At first, crossing the border may take a little longer due to the collection of biometric data, especially at car and bus checkpoints. But with each subsequent entry, the process will be faster — the system remembers the data and uses it for verification.

In addition, the disappearance of stamps in passports will relieve travellers of the need to change documents due to filled pages. Now, information about border crossings is stored electronically, which reduces the number of errors and disputes about the length of stay.

Don't forget that travelling abroad always requires careful preparation for your own safety. To feel confident, take out medical insurance that will cover your basic needs in case of unforeseen health situations.

Reminder! The European Entry/Exit System (EES) continues to expand at the Ukrainian-Polish border, and now three more checkpoints in the Lviv region have joined it. The new rules are already having a noticeable impact on the speed of border crossings and causing longer queues. Find out where the system has been implemented, how it works, and what Ukrainians can expect.

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