European Union updates border crossing rules: what will change for Ukrainians

The Council of the European Union has approved a law allowing for the phased introduction of a new digital control system at external borders - the Entry/Exit System (EES). The implementation of the rules will last up to six months and will affect all third-country nationals, including Ukrainians travelling to the Schengen area for a short period of time.

The system will record entries and exits and collect passport data, fingerprints and facial photographs. This should increase security, simplify identification, reduce overstaying and make document fraud more difficult. Border guards and law enforcement agencies will have access to the information.

According to the new rules, EU countries will be able to implement the system both immediately and in stages, within 180 days. Until the system works in full, it is allowed to put stamps manually. If necessary, for example, in case of congestion at the border, states will be able to temporarily suspend the EES.

Initially, it was planned that the system would work simultaneously in all EU countries, but for a more stable start, the European Commission proposed a transitional format. The new regulation came into force after being approved by the European Parliament on 8 July.

The EES system will be part of the EU's efforts to strengthen external border security. The Schengen area as of July 2025 includes 29 countries and has a regime of free movement without border controls within it.

As Socialportal wrote, currently more than 4 million Ukrainians have temporary protection status in the EU. Most have managed to obtain legal status, basic support, access to medical care, education and the labour market. However, life in a foreign land is accompanied by many challenges, and a significant proportion of people still live "between two worlds". What can the state do to bring back its citizens and how they help the country those who have become part of the Ukrainian diaspora abroad. Read the answers to these and other questions in the exclusive mater on Socialportal.

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