Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Ghanaian travellers to the European Union and Schengen Area to take note of a new automated border control system now being rolled out across European borders.
In a public statement issued on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, the Ministry announced the gradual implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), established under Regulation (EC) No. 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
The EES, which began its rollout on October 12, 2025, is designed to replace the traditional manual passport stamping process at Schengen borders, with full implementation expected by tomorrow April 10, 2026.
The statement explained that the system automatically records the entry and exit data of non-EU nationals including Ghanaians travelling on short-stay visas each time they cross the external borders of Schengen Member States with data collected under the system including facial images, fingerprints, travel document details, as well as information on entry, exit dates and any refusal of entry.
The Ministry noted however that the system does not apply to all travellers as Non-EU nationals holding residence cards or permits, holders of long-stay visas, accredited diplomats, heads of state, cross-border workers, NATO military personnel travelling on official business and holders of local border traffic permits are among those exempted from EES registration.
The Ministry then urged Ghanaian nationals travelling to the EU and Schengen Area to familiarise themselves with the new system ahead of their travel with further details accessible at https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees.
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