Frontex Launches Travel to Europe App to Speed Up EU Border Entry
New App Streamlines Border Checks for Non-EU Travelers
Frontex has launched Travel to Europe, a mobile app for non-EU travelers to pre-register before arriving in Europe. The app allows users to upload passport data, facial images, and answer entry questions up to 72 hours before travel.
It supports the upcoming Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to log non-EU visitor movements in and out of the Schengen Area. By handling much of the data entry before arrival, the app aims to reduce airport wait times significantly.
Sweden First to Use App at Borders
Sweden will be the first country to roll out the app, beginning with Arlanda Airport later this year. Frontex is also working with France, the Netherlands, and Italy to pilot the app at key entry points by 2026.
Portugal and Greece have expressed interest in adopting the system for their own border control processes. The app is voluntary for both countries and travelers, but it targets major airports for maximum benefit.
Faster Processing, Shorter Lines
The app does not replace face-to-face checks, but it speeds up the process for border agents and travelers alike. Border officials will receive essential traveller data in advance, allowing them to focus on security rather than form-filling.
Frontex Deputy Executive Director Uku Särekanno said “The app is ready for use with EES from autumn 2025”. He encouraged member states to adopt the app widely, especially at high-traffic locations.
Digital Borders, Enhanced Security
The app collects only part of the required EES data, facial image and document details, but not fingerprints. Fingerprints must still be scanned at the border under the supervision of a guard.
Frontex designed the app to be scalable and secure, easily integrated with each country’s national border systems. Member States can decide which features to activate and where to deploy the app based on their needs.
Not Just for Tourists
While helpful to tourists, the app may also impact frequent travelers and seasonal workers crossing EU borders regularly. Experts say it could normalise biometric data sharing across countries, affecting how migrants move and are monitored.
The EES will log each traveller’s entry, exit, and any overstays, making data tracking more precise than ever before.
Preparing for ETIAS and Beyond
The Travel to Europe app arrives ahead of ETIAS, the EU’s travel authorisation system launching in late 2026. Both systems aim to modernise Europe’s borders through pre-screening and digital registration.
Together, they form part of broader Schengen reforms that balance mobility with tighter external control. Travelers should prepare for a more tech-driven process when visiting Europe in the coming years.
A New Border Experience
With EES launching in October 2025, Frontex’s app offers a practical way to prepare for the new system. Arlanda Airport in Sweden leads the way, with other European hubs expected to follow by mid-2026.
By encouraging early adoption, Frontex hopes to minimise disruptions and make border entry easier for millions. Travelers, particularly those heading to busy airports, can benefit from smoother checks with just a few clicks.