First Swiss airports to start new Entry/Exit system for non-EU travellers from Monday

The first Swiss airports have announced that they will introduce new digital passport control as part of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) from next week. Here’s an overview of what’s changing when and where:

EES to be introduced in Basel, Geneva and Zurich airports this autumn

From October 2025, Switzerland will gradually start implementing the new Entry/Exit System at its borders. EES is designed to make travel quicker and more secure by replacing passport stamps for arriving and departing non-EU nationals. 

In Switzerland, the new system will be introduced first in Geneva and Basel, followed by Zurich and other smaller airports. According to a press release issued by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), EES will start to be introduced:

• From October 12 at Basel and Geneva airports
• From November 17 at Zurich Airport
• From mid-November 2025 to March 2026 at Lugana, Dübendorf and Bern-Belp airports

Non-EU citizens have been told to expect longer waiting and checking times at passport control while the new system is introduced. It’s therefore a good idea to arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare if you are travelling through a Swiss airport in the coming months. 

What is changing with the Entry/Exit System?

Under the new system, non-EU citizens arriving in the EU/EFTA bloc for the first time will be required to log their passport details and biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) before going through passport control. 

When a non-EU citizen leaves the Schengen Area, their date of departure is also recorded, in order to efficiently calculate their length of stay. This data will be stored for three years so that when you re-enter the Schengen Area, officials can bring up your details and check them upon entry and exit. 

The new rules do not apply to people with Swiss citizenship, EU nationals or third-country nationals with a valid residence permit in a Schengen country. Nothing will change for these groups of passengers. 

The manual stamping of passports will be completely phased out by April 2026.