Attention Drivers: New Border Crossing Rules at the Krakowiec Checkpoint

At the Krakowiec checkpoint on the border with Poland, a new digital EES system (Entry/Exit System) has been implemented, which has already led to queues and may increase waiting times for entry into the EU. As of the morning of October 21, about 50 vehicles were queued at the exit from Ukraine, as reported by Lviv Portal citing the press service of the 7th Carpathian Border Guard Detachment.

What is the EES System

EES is a centralized European system that automates control at the external borders of the Schengen area, completely replacing traditional passport stamping. During the first entry after the system is launched, every citizen will undergo full biometric registration. The main steps include:

• Mandatory facial photography

• Taking four fingerprints

• Automatic recording of entry/exit date, time, and place

"When planning trips to Poland, we advise considering the potential increase in waiting times at the Krakowiec checkpoint and, if possible, choosing less busy routes", the border guard service recommends. 

Who Among Ukrainians Does Not Need to Submit Biometrics at the EU Border

It is important to note that the system does not apply to Ukrainians who have residence permits in the EU or long-term visas – it is sufficient for them to present the relevant documents.

Where Else the EES System is Operating at the EU Border

The system has already been implemented at two key points on the Polish-Ukrainian border: the vehicle-pedestrian checkpoint «Shehyni-Medyka» and the railway checkpoint «Przemyśl». During the initial phase of operation, significant delays were observed due to technical problems with scanning devices and the absence of separate lanes for individuals who had previously undergone biometric control. 

According to the Public Monitoring Center, the full procedure of submitting fingerprints and photos needs to be completed only once every three years. After that, crossing the border is significantly expedited, as the data is automatically verified against the database. The European Commission has allocated a six-month transition period until April 2026 for full system optimization.

Earlier, we reported that a new digital border control system was launched in the European Union. It is named the Entry/Exit System (EES) and will be effective from October 12, 2025.