Government

Brussels Airport rolls out biometric kiosks ahead of EU Entry/Exit System

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January 22, 2026

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Brussels Airport has deployed 61 self-service pre-registration kiosks in preparation for the European Union's biometric Entry Exit System, which is scheduled to go live across the EU on April 10, 2026. The airport has also added 12 extra manned border booths in arrivals and 36 new e-gates equipped with facial recognition cameras. According to VisaHQ, a provider of online visa services and U.S. passport solutions, the upgrades are intended to support the transition to biometric border processing and reduce congestion once the system becomes mandatory.

All existing fixed border counters at the airport have already been upgraded with new camera hardware. The Belgian Federal Police is expected to soon authorize the use of e-gates for passengers from selected trusted non-EU countries. The changes aim to streamline border control while accommodating new biometric requirements.

The kiosks, intended for non-EU travelers, are designed to keep first-time biometric enrollment to under 2 minutes. Passport stamping for business travelers is slated to end, with entry and exit durations tracked electronically instead. Belgian authorities have stated that biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints, will be stored for three years under EU data protection rules.

Brussels Airport is hiring 75 additional staff to assist passengers and resolve kiosk-related issues during the initial rollout period. The airport handled 22 million travelers in 2025.

Government