Starting on October 12, 2025, the European Union (EU) will begin rolling out the Entry/Exit System (EES), with full implementation by April 2026. This new digital border management tool will replace traditional passport stamping with biometric records.
As part of the EU’s broader modernization efforts, the EES works hand-in-hand with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), making travel more secure, efficient, and transparent for visitors.
This guide walks you through EES’ purpose, application process, and frequently asked questions, ensuring that you’re prepared by launch date.
What is the EES?
The EES is a new digital border control system being rolled out across the EU starting in October 2025, with full implementation by April 2026. It replaces traditional passport stamping with a secure process that records biometric data, entry dates, and exit dates, making border checks more accurate and efficient for travelers.
Defining the EES
At its core, the EES is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals traveling for short stays at Schengen external borders. Instead of relying on manual passport stamps, the system electronically records personal details and biometric identifiers, such as facial images and fingerprints, each time you cross into or out of Schengen territory.
This modernization ensures greater accuracy in tracking travel movements and helps prevent overstays.
Who Does the EES Apply to?
The EES applies to two main categories of travelers:
- Visa-exempt travelers: This includes nationals from countries exempted from applying for a Schengen visa for short stays.
- Short-stay visa holders: Those who require a visa to enter the Schengen Area for a limited duration.
If you fall into either group, you will be registered in the EES when entering a participating European country. Citizens of EU member states or Schengen-associated countries, however, are not subject to the system.
What Counts as a Short Stay?
Under the EES, a short stay is defined as a maximum of 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. This rule applies across all Schengen states, meaning the days you spend in France, Spain, or any other participating country are counted together, not separately.
The system will automatically calculate how many days remain for your stay, removing the guesswork from the process.
Countries Using EES
Once fully operational, the EES will cover 29 European countries, including all Schengen member states and associated nations. This ensures consistent travel rules and streamlined border checks across much of Europe.
Here is a summary of the countries where EES will apply:
| Austria | France | Lithuania | Slovakia |
| Belgium | Germany | Luxembourg | Slovenia |
| Bulgaria | Greece | Malta | Spain |
| Croatia | Hungary | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Czechia | Iceland | Norway | Switzerland |
| Denmark | Italy | Poland | |
| Estonia | Latvia | Portugal | |
| Finland | Liechtenstein | Romania |
This wide coverage means that whether you’re planning a weekend in Belgium, a cultural trip to Austria, or a summer holiday in Spain, the EES will track your entries and exits across all participating states.
Why is the EES Being Introduced?
The EES is a major shift in how the EU manages travel at its external borders. By moving away from outdated paper stamps to a modern digital system, the EU aims to create smoother journeys for travelers while strengthening security across its member states.
Modernization of Border Checks
For decades, passport stamping has been the standard for recording entry and exit, but this method has its flaws: stamps can fade, be misplaced, or even be forged.
The EES replaces this with electronic records, storing biometric information such as facial images and fingerprints for accurate identification.
This modernization ensures that when you cross the border, your travel history is digitally logged, reducing the likelihood of errors or disputes about your time spent in the Schengen Area.
Preventing Overstays and Illegal Migration
One of the key goals of the EES is to prevent third-country nationals from overstaying their allowed period in Europe.
The system automatically calculates how many days remain under the “90 days in any 180-day period” rule, making it much easier for both you and border authorities to keep track.
By identifying overstayers and irregular migrants more quickly, the system reduces the risks of unlawful residence and helps maintain fairness for compliant travelers.
Enhancing Schengen Security
Security is at the heart of this initiative. The EES plays a crucial role in detecting identity fraud, spotting forged passports, and flagging unauthorized entries. By storing biometric data, it allows authorities to verify your identity with far greater accuracy than manual checks.
According to EU plans, this also supports broader efforts to fight terrorism and organized crime, ensuring that the Schengen Area remains a safe and trusted travel zone.
Improving Efficiency and Reducing Border Wait Times
No traveler enjoys long queues at airports or land crossings. The EES is designed to streamline the process, with automation and self-service kiosks reducing the reliance on manual passport checks.
While the first implementation phase may cause some delays as travelers register their biometric data, the long-term benefit will be faster border crossings and more predictable travel experiences.
Over time, you will notice shorter wait times, especially if you are a frequent visitor to Europe.
How Does the EES Work in Practice?
The EES is designed to streamline border checks by digitally recording your travel information, replacing outdated manual passport stamps.
Whether it’s your first trip under the new system or a return visit, the process ensures faster and more secure border crossings across participating European countries.
First-Time Travelers Under EES
If you are crossing into the Schengen Area for the first time since the EES launch, you’ll undergo a full registration process. This involves:
- A fingerprint scan
- A facial image capture
- Collection of passport data such as your full name, date of birth, and travel document number
To make this smoother, many border points will have self-service kiosks or mobile applications where you can pre-register your data before meeting a border guard. These tools reduce waiting times and make the experience more efficient, particularly at busy airports and land crossings.
Returning Travelers
If you have already been registered once, the process is much faster on subsequent trips. Border guards will simply verify your stored biometrics, such as your fingerprints or face photo, rather than capturing them again.
Travelers holding biometric passports can often use self-service systems for verification, making crossings more efficient. This means frequent travelers will notice significant time savings compared to the traditional stamping system.
Data Protection and Oversight
All data you provide to the EES is managed under strict data protection rules. The system is operated by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for large-scale IT systems, ensuring that personal information is secure and handled transparently.
If you want to learn more about how your data is stored or your rights, you can consult the official EES FAQ, which provides practical examples for travelers.
Importantly, this system does not apply to EU citizens, who are exempt from EES registration.
EES and ETIAS: How They Work Together
The EES and the ETIAS are two complementary tools designed to modernize travel into the Schengen Area. ETIAS pre-screens you before your trip, while the EES digitally records when you actually cross the border.
ETIAS Pre-Screening vs. EES Border Tracking
If you come from a visa-exempt country such as Canada, Japan, or the UK, you’ll first need ETIAS authorization before traveling. This online pre-screening checks your background against security databases and approves your entry in advance.
Once you arrive at the border, the EES takes over, registering your fingerprints, facial image, and entry/exit details every time you cross into or out of Schengen territory.
Together, these systems ensure that you follow the 90/180-day rule. This rule limits your stay in Schengen countries to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period, and the EES provides an automated way of tracking compliance.
ETIAS + EES: Key Differences
Although they work hand in hand, ETIAS and EES serve different purposes:
- ETIAS = your travel authorization before departure, similar to a pre-check system.
- EES = entry and exit tracking at the border, confirming how long you actually remain in Schengen countries.
This dual system makes travel more predictable, but it also strengthens oversight. Data collected by the EES is accessible to border officials and, under strict rules, to law enforcement agencies for crime prevention and security purposes.
Key Benefits for Travelers
The EES is designed not only to improve border security but also to make travel smoother for you. By replacing outdated manual stamping with a digital record of entries and exits, the EES means fewer mistakes and faster procedures at border checks.
Accurate Calculation of Stay Duration
One of the most practical advantages is that the system keeps an exact digital record of your entries and exits. This eliminates the confusion that often comes with faded or missing stamps in your passport.
You’ll always know exactly how many days remain on your 90-day allowance in the Schengen Area, reducing the risk of accidental overstays.
Fewer Errors and More Reliability
The end of manual stamping means fewer disputes at border crossings. Previously, unclear stamps could create misunderstandings about when you entered or left.
With the new entry/exit system, your travel data is stored electronically and can be verified by officials instantly, giving you peace of mind when moving between European countries.
Faster Crossings at Automated Gates
The end of manual stamping means fewer disputes at border crossings. Previously, unclear stamps could create misunderstandings about when you entered or left.
With the EES, your travel data is stored electronically and can be verified by officials instantly, giving you peace of mind when moving between European countries.
Concerns and Common Questions
With the EES, you might wonder how it affects your rights, privacy, and obligations at passport control. Let’s address the most common issues travelers raise when preparing to enter or leave the Schengen Area.
What if You Refuse to Provide Biometric Data?
Biometric data—your fingerprints and a facial image—are mandatory under EU law. If you refuse to provide them at the border, your entry will be denied because officers cannot complete your registration in the system.
How Long is Data Stored?
Your biometric data is normally stored in the EES for three years after your last entry or exit. However, special rules apply if you are a family member of an EU citizen: in such cases, reduced retention periods may apply, reflecting your right of free movement.
Is My Privacy Protected?
The EES complies fully with the EU’s strict privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The system follows principles such as purpose limitation, data minimization, and proportionality, meaning your data is only collected for legitimate border management purposes and kept for as long as necessary.
