The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated EU system that registers non-EU travellers each time they cross an external Schengen border. Instead of stamping your passport, border officers record your name, travel document, and biometrics — a facial image and fingerprints. It applies to short stays (up to 90 days in any 180). EES started on 12 October 2025 and, as of June 2026, is fully operational across the Schengen external borders — confirm the current status officially.
What happens at the airport
On your first crossing under EES, you register your biometrics at a booth or self-service kiosk. On later trips the process is faster, as the system recognises you. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens are not affected; this is for non-EU nationals on short visits.
| Before EES | With EES |
|---|---|
| Passport stamped by hand | Digital entry/exit record |
| No biometrics for short stays | Facial image + fingerprints |
| Manual count of days | Automated 90/180-day tracking |
Practical tips
- Allow extra time at the border, especially during the first months and at busy hubs.
- Have your travel document and return/onward details ready.
- EES is separate from ETIAS — you may eventually need both.
Confirm the current status and exactly which borders are live on the official EU pages before travelling: travel-europe.europa.eu/ees. Last reviewed: June 2026.
