Austria moves toward full EU Entry/Exit System rollout by April 10

Austria has announced the final steps toward fully activating the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) across its air, land, and rail borders, making biometric data collection from non-EU travellers mandatory at all border checkpoints by April 10.

The new European system will automatically track the length of stay for visitors holding short-term Schengen visas as they travel within the Schengen area, allowing authorities to identify cases of overstaying more efficiently.

 It will also remove the previously allowed “grace days” that occurred when passport stamps were unclear or unreadable.

Austrian officials added that additional frequently asked questions about the system will be made available in English by 20 March.

Border authorities also confirmed that travellers with a valid Austrian long-stay Visa D and residence permit holders will be exempt from registering in the EES system.

Meanwhile, technological upgrades have already been completed at Vienna International Airport and the airports of Innsbruck and Salzburg, with improvements at Graz and Linz airports expected to be finalised by 25 March. -TradeArabia News Service