Travel guide
What is EES? Europe's new passport and biometric border system
EES electronically records the entry and exit of non-EU short-stay travellers at Schengen external borders instead of relying on passport stamps.
Prepared by the FlyVentis editorial team and regularly reviewed for travel and event accuracy.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) electronically records the entries, exits and refusals of entry of non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen area for a short stay. It has been fully operational at the external borders of 29 countries since 10 April 2026, replacing manual passport stamps for travellers in scope.
EES is neither a visa nor a travel authorisation. Passport, visa and entry requirements remain in force; the change concerns how identity and authorised stay are recorded and checked at the border.
Who is covered by EES?
The system generally covers non-EU nationals crossing an external Schengen border for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It applies to both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers.
EU, Icelandic, Liechtenstein, Norwegian and Swiss nationals are not registered. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by a country operating EES are also generally outside its scope; official exemptions should be checked for special statuses.
| Traveller status | General EES position |
|---|---|
| Short-stay Schengen visa | Registered in EES |
| Visa-exempt short visit | Registered in EES |
| Long-stay visa or residence permit | Generally exempt |
| EU/EEA/Swiss national | Exempt |
What information is collected at the border?
EES records travel-document identity data, the date and place of every entry and exit, a facial image, fingerprints and any refusal of entry. If a short-stay visa holder's fingerprints are already stored in the Visa Information System, they are not stored again in EES.
On later crossings, the traveller's passport and biometrics are matched with the existing record. A kiosk or automated gate does not remove the border guard's authority to ask for evidence of purpose, accommodation, return travel or sufficient means.
Which countries use EES?
EES is used by 25 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. External-border records are therefore created in destinations including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania.
Ireland and Cyprus do not use EES. Cyprus will participate in ETIAS, so the two systems should not be assumed to have identical country lists. A normal internal Schengen journey does not create a new external entry record.
- Check passport and visa validity for the entire trip.
- Allow for extra time during a first EES registration.
- Keep accommodation, return-ticket and trip-purpose evidence accessible.
- Track the 90/180-day limit instead of relying on passport stamps.
Length of stay and personal data
EES helps identify overstays by linking entry and exit records. It does not grant extra days or extend a visa. Use the Schengen 90/180-day guide to track your own allowance.
According to the EU, entry, exit and refusal records are retained for three years, while the individual file is kept for three years and one day after the last exit or refusal. Where no exit is recorded, data may be kept for five years after the authorised stay expires. Travellers have rights to access their data and request correction of inaccurate records.
Official sources and next steps
Frequently asked questions
Does EES apply to short-stay visa holders?
Yes. EES generally covers both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt non-EU travellers entering for a short stay.
Is there an EES application or fee?
No. EES is not a separate travel authorisation; registration takes place at the border and there is no EES application fee.
Has EES replaced passport stamps?
For travellers in scope at external borders of EES countries, entries and exits are now recorded electronically. Ireland and Cyprus do not use EES.
Does EES replace a visa?
No. Visa and other entry requirements remain unchanged.
