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Europe Visa Check

EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

What travelers need to know about Europe's new biometric border system.

Quick Facts

Replaces passport stamps with digital entry/exit records. Collects biometrics (fingerprints + facial image) at the border. Applies to all non-EU travelers — visa holders, ETIAS holders, and visa-exempt alike. No pre-registration needed — everything happens at the border. Fully operational April 10, 2026 at all Schengen external borders.

Replaces Passport stamps Digital entry/exit records
Biometrics Fingerprints + face Collected at the border
Applies To All non-EU travelers Visa, ETIAS, and visa-exempt
Registration At the border No pre-registration needed
500M+
Border crossings per year
3 sec
Facial scan time
30
Schengen countries
Apr 2026
Fully operational

What is the Entry/Exit System?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the EU's new automated border management system. It replaces manual passport stamping with digital records and biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) for all non-EU travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Area.

EES applies to everyone who isn't an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen — whether you need a visa, ETIAS, or neither. Every time you cross a Schengen external border, the system records your entry and exit electronically.

How is EES Different from ETIAS?

EES is a border registration system — it records when you enter and leave. ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization — it determines whether you're allowed to travel. They work together but serve different purposes.

Think of it this way: ETIAS is your permission to travel (like a visa waiver), while EES is the system that stamps you in and out digitally at the border.

Learn more about ETIAS

EES vs ETIAS

Feature EES ETIAS
What it does Records entry/exit at borders Pre-travel authorization
Who it affects All non-EU/EEA travelers 60 visa-exempt nationalities
When you interact At the border Before travel (online)
Biometrics Fingerprints + facial image No biometrics
Cost Free €20 (adults 18-70)
Launch Oct 2025 (phased) Q4 2026

EES Timeline

  1. EES rollout begins at select border crossings

  2. Gradual expansion to more airports and land borders

  3. EES fully operational at all Schengen external borders

  4. ETIAS launches — works alongside EES

Key Facts

👤
Who's Affected All non-EU travelers Visa holders, ETIAS holders, and visa-exempt alike
🔐
Data Collected Biometrics + passport 4 fingerprints, facial image, travel document data
🕐
Data Retention 3 years After last exit, or 5 years max
🛫
Where All Schengen borders Air, land, and sea entry points

Learn More About EES

How EES Works

Step-by-step guide to the border process

Biometric Registration

What data is collected and how

Processing Times

How long EES takes at the border

EES Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to do anything before my trip because of EES?
No. Unlike ETIAS, EES doesn't require any pre-registration. You simply present your passport and provide biometrics at the border. However, if you're from a visa-exempt country, you will also need ETIAS once it launches in Q4 2026.
Will EES make border queues longer?
Initially there may be longer wait times, especially at busy airports, as first-time travelers need to register their biometrics. However, return visitors will pass through much faster using facial recognition. Automated border gates (ABC gates) will also speed things up.
What happens to my passport stamps?
EES replaces manual passport stamping at Schengen borders. Instead of ink stamps, your entry and exit are recorded electronically. This means no more running out of blank passport pages from European stamps.
Does EES apply at every Schengen border?
EES applies at all Schengen external borders — airports, land crossings, and seaports. It does not apply when traveling between Schengen countries (e.g., flying from France to Germany), since there are no border checks within the Schengen Area.
Is my biometric data safe?
EES data is protected under EU data protection regulations (GDPR). Data is stored in a secure central system and can only be accessed by authorized border and immigration authorities. You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your data.
Does EES affect EU citizens?
No. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens are exempt from EES. It only applies to third-country nationals (non-EU travelers).

Related Information

ETIAS Guide Schengen Area Schengen Visa 90-Day Rule

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