From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operating at all border crossing points in Latvia. Its purpose is to strengthen security across the EU.
The EES will apply to third country nationals entering Latvia or another member state of the Schengen area for a short stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The system does not apply to EU citizens, permanent residents of Latvia and holders of long-stay visas.
The EES digital system will register the following data of third country nationals:
- biometric data (fingerprints and facial image),
- travel document data,
- entry and exit dates, etc.
At the initial stages of the EES operation, EU citizens travelling to or from third countries should also expect longer border checks.
To avoid possible queues, we encourage holders of biometric passports from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and the Swiss Confederation to use the automated border control gates (ABC gates) at Riga Airport.
The ABC gates can be used by persons aged 14 and older, while upon exit, by persons aged 18 and older. A passport is mandatory for using the ABC gates (an identity card is not accepted).
The EES will be introduced gradually in 29 European countries and will be fully operational from 10 April 2026.
From 12 September 2025 to 10 April 2026, when crossing the external borders of Latvia and other European countries, third-country nationals’ passports will still be stamped with entry and exit stamps.
The introduction of the EES is a significant reform, which will:
- facilitate travel to Europe for non-EU nationals on short-term stays,
- considerably speed up border checks,
- modernize and improve the management of EU external borders,
- provide reliable data on border crossing,
- systematically identify persons who have stayed longer than permitted (overstayers), or are using fake identities or documents,
- help prevent irregular migration and protect European citizens’ security,
- enable European member countries to electronically share traveller information.
The EES complies with the highest standards of data and privacy protection thereby ensuring the protection and security of personal data.
Read more on the site of the Ministry of the Interior: The new Entry/Exit System will strengthen the security of the European Union; at the beginning of its operation, longer border checks may need to be expected
For further information on the EES see: travel-europe.europa.eu
If you have questions about entry/exit, please call the State Border Guard at: +371 67075616 or send an email to:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..