Relying on Korean Passport Power Could Backfire... Longer Airport Wait Times in Europe, What's Happening?
by Seo Jiyeong
Published 29 Sep.2025 08:43(KST)
Updated 29 Sep.2025 14:36(KST)
29 European Countries to Introduce New Entry/Exit System Next Month
Targeting Non-EU Short-Term Visitors Including South Koreans
Fingerprint and Facial Data to Be Stored for Three Years
European Travel Authorization (ETIAS) to Become Mandat
Although South Korea holds the world’s second most powerful passport, traveling to Europe is about to become more complicated. Starting October 12, 2025, 29 countries participating in the European Union (EU) Schengen Agreement will implement a new Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring non-EU travelers, including South Koreans, to register their fingerprints and facial images upon entry. In the second half of next year, the introduction of the online pre-travel authorization system (ETIAS) is also scheduled, making initial confusion inevitable.
29 European Countries to Introduce EES... Targeting Short-Term Visitors from Non-EU Countries Including South Korea
The scene of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 bustling with travelers on July 25th.
원본보기 아이콘According to a safety notice for overseas Koreans issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Belgium on September 24 (local time), the EES is an automated IT system that registers relevant information each time a short-term visitor who is not a citizen of an EU member state, including South Koreans, crosses the external borders of European countries. The new entry/exit system will apply to 29 countries: 25 EU member states participating in the Schengen Agreement, as well as four non-EU countries-Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
After the EES is implemented, travelers crossing the Schengen border for the first time will have their fingerprints scanned or facial photographs taken by an immigration officer, and the collected personal data will be stored as digital files for up to three years. Once registered, travelers will only need to have their fingerprints and photos matched in subsequent visits, slightly speeding up the process. However, there are concerns that wait times may be longer during the initial phase of the system.
"Allow Sufficient Time When Going to the Airport"
In response, Yoon Juseok, Director General of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, advised, "As congestion is expected in the early stages, please allow sufficient time when using the airport." Travel agencies and airlines have also agreed to cooperate in promoting the new system. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is providing information through the Overseas Safety Travel website, the websites of overseas diplomatic missions, and the overseas safety roaming text message service.
Starting around October next year, ETIAS will be introduced in addition to the EES, requiring travelers to obtain pre-authorization online before entering Europe. The application fee is 20 euros (approximately 33,000 won) and is valid for three years, with the fee waived for those under 18 and over 70. The United Kingdom, which has withdrawn from the EU, has already implemented a travel authorization system since January, charging 30,000 won per application.
Meanwhile, according to the "Henley Passport Index 2025" released by the UK-based citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners, the South Korean passport allows visa-free entry to 190 countries worldwide, ranking second alongside Japan. South Korea has consistently remained in the top tier since ranking third in January 2020. Singapore holds the top spot, with visa-free access to 193 countries. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Spain share third place.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.