EU Confirms Residence Permit Holders Exempt from New Border Biometrics

The European Union has clarified rules for border checks. The new Entry/Exit System tracks non-EU visitors. It collects fingerprints and facial scans at external borders. People with valid residence permits are exempt from this requirement. The European Commission published this guidance on July 27, 2026.

• Guidance date: July 27, 2026
• Exempt group: Holders of valid Schengen residence permits or long-stay visas
• Exemption details: No fingerprinting or facial scans at external Schengen borders
• Required action: Present standard passport and Danish residence permit
• Local impact: Faster border checks when arriving at Copenhagen Airport

This rule directly affects Chinese residents in Copenhagen. Many local students and professionals hold Danish residence cards. You do not need to use biometric kiosks when returning to Denmark. This applies when flying into Copenhagen Airport from outside Schengen. Trips home from non-Schengen countries will be much simpler.

At border control, you only show your passport and residence permit. Guards will check these documents manually as they do now. You do not need to register fingerprints in the new database. This will help you avoid long queues at airport border stops. Always check that your Danish residence card is valid before travel.