Europe EES: New EU Entry/Exit System for the Schengen area

Traveling to Europe is about to change with the introduction of Europe EES, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System for the Schengen Area. But what does this mean for you? How will it affect your trips? Who needs to register, and who is exempt? In this Schengen visa guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Europe EES, the latest EU entry requirements, and the future of border security.

What is Europe EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new automated border control system by the European Union (EU). It is designed to digitally track the entry and exit of non-EU travelers who visit the EU for short stays.

Right now, non-EU travelers get a stamp in their passport each time they enter or leave an EU country. The EES will replace this manual process with a digital record that keeps track of:

• When and where a traveler enters or leaves the EU

• If a traveler has overstayed their allowed time

• If a traveler has been refused entry

This system will apply to most EU and Schengen Area countries, but Cyprus and Ireland will continue using manual passport stamping.

Who does EES apply to?

The system applies to all non-EU travelers who visit an EES country for a short stay, meaning:

• People who need a visa to visit the EU.

• People who do not need a visa but can only stay for 90 days within a 180-day period.

Every time a non-EU traveler crosses the border, their personal and travel details will be recorded electronically.

Who is exempt from the EES?

Some travelers do not need to register in the EES, including:

• EU citizens, including those from Cyprus and Ireland.

• Non-EU nationals who have EU residence permits or residence cards.

• Heads of state, diplomats, and other officials with special privileges.

• Researchers, students, and corporate employees on special work permits.

• Crew members of international trains and freight vehicles.

• Holders of long-term visas or special border permits.

These exemptions mean that people who live or work in the EU regularly will not be affected by the EES.

Is the UK included in EES?

No, the UK is not included in the EES because it is no longer part of the European Union (EU) or the Schengen Area.

However, UK travelers visiting the EU will be subject to the EES rules, just like other non-EU nationals. Additionally, from 2026, UK citizens will also need an ETIAS travel authorization before entering most EU and Schengen countries.

EES start date: When will EES start?

​The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES), initially scheduled to commence on November 10, 2024, has experienced delays, since 2022, and is now anticipated to launch in 2026.

The European Commission has proposed a phased implementation, granting member states six months to fully deploy the system once a definitive start date is established. As of now, the exact EES start date to become operational remains unconfirmed.​

How will the EU EES work?

Ready to replace passport stamping with biometric data collection and electronic records?

First-time travelers after the EES system starts

If you are entering an EES country for the first time after the system is in place, you will need to:

• Provide personal details, such as your name, passport number, and nationality.

• Have your fingerprints scanned or a photo of your face taken by a passport control officer.

• Have your details recorded in the system (instead of getting a stamp in your passport).

Repeat travelers

If you have already used the EES before, your biometric data (fingerprints and face photo) will already be stored in the system. This means:

• You will not need to provide fingerprints or a face photo again unless the system requires new data.

• A passport control officer will simply verify your identity based on the records in the system.

• If you have a biometric passport, you may be able to use a self-service kiosk at some border crossings to enter more quickly.

EES countries: Which countries will use EES?

The EES Europe will apply in the following EU and Schengen Area countries:

1. Austria

2. Belgium

3. Bulgaria

4. Croatia

5. Czechia

6. Denmark

7. Estonia

8. Finland

9. France

10. Germany

11. Greece

12. Hungary

13. Iceland

14. Italy

15. Latvia

16. Liechtenstein

17. Lithuania

18. Luxembourg

19. Malta

20. Netherlands

21. Norway

22. Poland

23. Portugal

24. Romania

25. Slovakia

26. Slovenia

27. Spain

28. Sweden

29. Switzerland

Although most EU and Schengen Area countries use the Entry/Exit System (EES), Cyprus and Ireland do not; they continue to stamp passports manually. Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area, so it has its own border policies, while Cyprus is not yet fully integrated into Schengen and operates under separate rules. Additionally, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City do not have their own border controls but follow the EES rules indirectly because of their open borders with Schengen countries.

New EU entry requirements

​As of 2025, the European Union (EU) is implementing new entry requirements for non-EU travelers:​

• Entry/Exit System (EES): This automated system will record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals visiting EU countries for short stays. It replaces passport stamping with digital records, utilizing biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints to enhance border security. ​

• European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS): Citizens from over 60 visa-exempt countries will need to obtain an ETIAS travel authorization before entering most European countries. This electronic authorization, valid for three years or until the passport expires, allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The ETIAS is expected to be operational starting in 2026.

General EU entry requirements

• Valid travel document: A passport valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen Area and issued within the last ten years.​

• Purpose of stay: Proof of the trip's purpose and conditions, such as accommodation details or an invitation letter.​

• Sufficient financial means: Evidence of adequate funds to cover the stay and return journey.​

• No security threat: Travelers must not be listed in the Schengen Information System (SIS) for refusal of entry and should not pose a threat to public policy, internal security, public health, or international relations of any Schengen state.

Check out all the Schengen visa requirements here.

A closer look at the EU’s border security strategy

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a key part of the EU’s broader border security strategy, working alongside several other digital systems to strengthen security, manage migration, and prevent fraud. It will integrate with the Schengen Information System (SIS), which helps track missing persons, stolen passports, and criminals, and the Visa Information System (VIS), which stores details of Schengen visa holders and their travel history. Additionally, the European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database (EURODAC) records fingerprints of asylum seekers, aiding in asylum and immigration procedures. Another important system, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), will soon require visa-exempt travelers to obtain pre-approval before entering the EU.

By connecting these systems, the EU ensures that border officials have real-time, accurate data on travelers, making it easier to detect fraud, security risks, and overstayers, while allowing for faster and safer border crossings.