PHOTOS: Croatia rolls out entry/exit system at Zagreb Airport

(Photo: MUP)

ZAGREB, 11 April 2026 – A major change in European border management began yesterday as the European Union officially launched the full implementation of its Entry/Exit System (EES), with Croatia positioned among the leading countries in its rollout.

Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Davor Božinović, marked the new era with a visit to border police at Zagreb International Airport “Franjo Tuđman”, where new automated border control (ABC) gates and EES kiosks were presented to officials and media.

The EES is a modern EU-wide digital system designed to register all third-country nationals entering and leaving the bloc.

It replaces traditional passport stamping with a centralised digital record, significantly improving both efficiency and security at external borders.

The introduction of ABC gates and EES kiosks is expected to streamline passenger flow at airports, reducing waiting times while increasing the level of automation in border checks.

ABC gates are intended for EU, European Economic Area and Swiss citizens holding biometric passports, allowing for quicker, self-service border crossings.

(Photo: MUP)

Meanwhile, EES kiosks are designed for third-country nationals entering the Schengen Area for the first time.

Travellers can pre-register by scanning their travel documents and providing biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints, before proceeding to a border officer for final verification.

The system is available in 15 languages, automatically selected based on the traveller’s nationality, further simplifying the process.

A key innovation of the EES is the immediate sharing of traveller data among all EU member states.

Upon registration at any external EU border, the information becomes instantly accessible to border authorities across the Union. This allows officials to monitor the length of stay and quickly identify individuals who overstay their permitted time.

Božinović highlighted this as a crucial step forward in strengthening security, noting that borders are no longer protected solely through physical presence, but increasingly through digital tools.

(Photo: MUP)

Croatia has been among the frontrunners in meeting the requirements for the EES. The country began full operational use of the system on 1 March 2026, with authorities reporting a smooth implementation without significant issues.

Officials emphasised that extensive preparation and training of border police have ensured readiness for the transition.

The new digital platform is also expected to enhance the detection of forged documents and suspicious individuals, enabling faster identification of emerging security risks.

The launch of the Entry/Exit System marks the beginning of a new era of digitalised border control across the European Union.

(Photo: MUP)

By combining advanced technology with real-time data exchange, the system aims to balance security with efficiency, ensuring safer and more seamless travel for millions of passengers entering and leaving the EU, the Ministry of Interior concluded.