Entry into Schengen: Everything is changing – new rules at four borders with Serbia

The Republic of Serbia borders four EU member states, and the EES system will also apply to Serbian citizens when entering the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary.

In the initial phase, the system will be activated at certain border crossings and with limited working hours, meaning selectively.

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At which border crossings will implementation begin?

In the Republic of Croatia, implementation begins at the Batrovci–Bajakovo crossing and at Zagreb Airport.

In the Republic of Bulgaria, at the Gradina–Kalotina crossing.

In Romania, at the Kaludjerovo–Naidaš crossing.

In Hungary, the system will be introduced in phases from October 28 to November 11, 2025, at the Tompa, Horgoš, Bački Vinogradi, Bačalmaš, Bački Breg, Rabe–Kibekhaza crossings, and others.

For persons without regulated residence who carry out certain work in Hungary and cross the border daily, registration will begin on November 1, 2025.

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What does this mean for Serbian citizens when entering the EU?

Only upon the first entry into a country that applies the EES, border control will include taking fingerprints from four fingers, a facial photograph, and the entry of personal and travel data into the system.

Minors over 12 years of age are subject to registration, while those under 12 will not be recorded.

Between October 12, 2025, and April 10, 2026, passports will still be stamped for all travelers, regardless of whether an EES file has been created.

The Ministry appeals to citizens to take into account possible longer waiting times at border crossings during the initial phase of system implementation and to obtain timely information about the conditions at specific crossings when planning their trips.

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What is the EES system?

The EES system will not involve any charges yet.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be gradually introduced at the external borders of 29 European countries over a period of six months. These European countries will implement different components of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data such as facial photographs and fingerprints.

If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the European countries that apply the EES.

Everything about this system, which will already be introduced in some countries this autumn, can be found in a separate text.

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What is ETIAS and when does it start?

ETIAS is a set of protocols required for entry into the EU for nationals of third countries who are exempt from needing a visa for the EU.

It is part of the new EU IT architecture aimed at strengthening security within the Union while at the same time facilitating travel for non-EU nationals. When the regulation was adopted, a fee of 7 euros was set.

Its implementation has been postponed several times, but the European Commission announced that ETIAS should come into force in the last four months of next year, with the fee increased.

According to the EC, taking into account the rise in inflation since 2018, as well as additional operating costs related, for example, to new technical functionalities of the system, the fee will be adjusted to 20 euros per application, valid for three years.

A travel document that does not meet international standards may be rejected during the application process.

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Total collapses expected when traveling to the EU

The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin implementation in October. With its launch, long queues and delays are expected at border crossings, as well as at airports.

The most vulnerable airports in case of EES system problems are:

• Athens

• Bucharest

• Milan Malpensa

• Budapest

• Berlin

• Vienna

• Rome Fiumicino

• Amsterdam

• Copenhagen

• Prague