Starting in 2026, travelers at the EU’s external borders will have to prepare for changes: with the new Entry/Exit System (EES), the EU is introducing digital registration for third-country nationals. Nuremberg Airport is also preparing for the transition—with new procedures, additional checks, and more equipment.
The EES officially went into operation on October 12, 2025. Countries intending to use the system are currently implementing it gradually at their external borders. The full rollout of the measure is planned for April 10, 2026, according to information on the European Union’s website.
The automated IT system is designed to register third-country nationals traveling for short-term stays. Besides Germany, 28 other countries have announced their implementation of the system.
The EU clarifies that for the EES, “third-country nationals” refers to individuals who are not nationals of an EU member state and are also not citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland. “Short-term stay” means a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This duration is calculated as a single period across all European countries using the EES.
German citizens are therefore not affected. However, Albrecht Dürer Airport Nuremberg emphasizes that the EES also applies to nationals from non-European countries who are residence permit holders, or travelers with a residence permit or national visa for long-term stays, if these documents were issued by a Schengen Area country.
Airport Anticipates Increased Waiting Times
Nuremberg Airport is preparing for changes in passenger flow. From the end of January 2026, the current system is to be supplemented with the digital registration of the entry and exit of third-country nationals.
According to the airport, a new queuing system will be introduced for passport control when departing to non-Schengen countries. Two additional information monitors will also be installed to help passengers orient themselves. To optimize the process, third-country nationals who must provide biometric data will also be separated from other passengers, as stated in a press release from Nuremberg Airport.
Furthermore, in the arrivals area, a central divider with floor markings and signs ensures a clear distinction between groups or different control procedures. Here, third-country nationals will be directed specifically through an additional door to the border police, where biometric registration will also take place.
The airport anticipates that due to the EES, travelers will have to expect increased waiting times, especially in the initial phase of implementation. In the long term, border checks may also take longer due to the additional steps.
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