From October 12, 2025, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operating in Latvia, as well as in other European countries. During the first border crossing, when the biometric data of third-country nationals is registered, the border control process may take longer than usual. However, after the initial data registration, subsequent border crossings will be faster and more convenient. In the long term, the EES will strengthen the security of the European Union’s external borders and enhance overall security in Europe.
If a third-country national arrives at a border crossing point for the first time since the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), the person will need to provide their personal data to the border guard. The border guards will scan the person's fingerprints and take a photograph of their face. This information will be stored in a digital file. The State Border Guard advises third-country nationals to allow extra time for the border check.
At the start of its operation, the new system may also affect citizens of European countries traveling to or from third countries – these persons should also expect longer border checks due to possible longer queues (but not because of data collection). Considering the upcoming school holidays, we encourage You to plan Your time at the airport in advance and anticipate potentially longer overall border checks.
To avoid possible queues, we encourage holders of biometric passports from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation to use the automated border control gates (ABC gates) at Riga Airport.
We remind You that upon entry, the ABC gates can be used by persons aged 14 and older, while upon exit, by persons aged 18 and older. A passport is mandatory for using the ABC gates (an identity card is not accepted).
If a third-country national crosses again the borders of those European countries that use the EES, the person’s fingerprints and facial image will already be registered in the EES. In this case, when crossing the border, only data verification will be required – a border guard will check the fingerprints or facial image, which will take less time. In certain cases, if necessary, the data of third-country nationals in the EES may be corrected or supplemented, as provided by the European Parliament and of the Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 establishing the EES.
The use of biometric data is a reliable method that allows for accurate identification of persons, thereby significantly reducing identification errors, as well as identifying persons without identity documents who are already present in the Schengen area. The collection of biometric data can improve security in European countries that use the EES, for example, by preventing persons from going missing or falling into the hands of human traffickers, and by helping to combat serious crimes and terrorism.
Although the collection of biometric data may impact travellers’ privacy, the technology used by the EES ensures the protection of fundamental human rights. The EES complies with the General Data Protection Regulation and other data protection principles, such as data protection by design and by default, as well as the requirements of necessity, proportionality, and data quality. Precautionary measures have been implemented to protect travellers’ rights concerning protection of their privacy and personal data. This personal data will be retained in the EES only for as long as necessary for the purpose(-s) of its collection.
The State Border Guard reminds that the EES will be introduced gradually, and full system operation will be ensured from April 10, 2026. Until then, when crossing the external borders of Latvia and other European countries, third-country nationals’ passports will still be stamped with entry and exit stamps, and traveller data will be registered in the EES. Additionally, during the transition period, the automatic calculator for the number of days of stay will not operate. This approach will help ensure a gradual transition and allow border control points to fully adapt to the new system. The full implementation of the EES functionality in all European countries (after April 10, 2026) will allow the discontinuation of passport stamps and enable European Member States to exchange information about travellers electronically.
It has already been reported that, in the long term, the EES will facilitate travel to Europe for third-country nationals who travel for short-term stays and who are expected to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
More information about the EES is available on the website: travel-europe.europa.eu, including in the frequently asked questions sections:
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/lv/ees/faq##
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees/faq##
If you have questions about entry or exit in Latvia, please call the State Border Guard at: +371 67075616 or send an email to: od@rs.gov.lv.