Travellers on the overnight Chełm–Kyiv train got a first-hand view of Poland’s full switch to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) this week. Since the beginning of April, passport stamps have been abolished in favour of biometric scans and an automatic calculation of the 90/180-day rule. On 21 April a Nakordoni.eu reporter documented the new procedure: guards board the carriage, scan travel documents, take a live photo and—only for first-time users—collect fingerprints before creating an electronic profile. The change streamlines repeat crossings—subsequent checks require only a quick scan—but it also adds several minutes for newcomers. Carriers and border guards therefore advise passengers to build extra buffer time into connections, especially during the initial bedding-in phase. For Ukrainian nationals commuting for work or study, EES brings clarity: overstays will be calculated automatically, reducing disputes at later crossings. For employers in Poland, it provides a cleaner record to link with work-permit databases, making compliance audits easier. Yet the digital shift is not without friction. Privacy advocates have raised concerns about the three-year retention of biometric data, while disability groups want alternative lanes for travellers unable to use standard fingerprint scanners in cramped compartments. The Border Guard says lessons learned on the Chełm–Kyiv line will inform roll-outs at Warsaw Central and Kraków main stations later this quarter.
Source: Nakordoni.eu
