Entry/Exit System
 | |
 | |
| Policy of |  European Union |
|---|---|
| Policy area | Schengen Area |
| Type | Automated border control system |
| Start of implementation | 12 October 2025 |
| Complete implementation | 10 April 2026 |
| Applicable countries | |
| Replaces | Passport stamp |
| Administered by | eu-LISA |
| Website | Official website |
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a system of the European Union (EU) for the automatic electronic monitoring and recording of border crossings of third-country nationals (non-EU/EFTA citizens) at all border crossings of the Schengen Area. The system, operated by eu-LISA, became operational at all Schengen Area border checkpoints on 10 April 2026, at which point passport stamps were discontinued for entries to and exits from the Schengen Area.[1]
The system stores information including name, date of birth, fingerprints and biometrics for facial recognition, and locations and times of border crossings in a database of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).[2]
Exemptions
[edit]The EES does not apply to the following classes of individuals:[3][4]
- Citizens of the following countries and regions (dual citizens require a valid passport or national identity card):[3][4][5]
- European Union (EU passport or national identity card)
EFTA (EFTA passport or national identity card)
Andorra (Andorran passport or national identity card)
San Marino (San Marino passport or national identity card)
Monaco (Monegasque passport or national identity card)
Vatican City (Vatican passport or national identity card)
- Foreign citizens holding a:
- Residence permit or a residence card issued by an EU or Schengen country (including British beneficiaries of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement)
- Long-stay schengen visa
- Valid local border traffic permit
- Holy See passport, regardless of whether the holder is a Vatican citizen
Border process
[edit]
The first time a traveller passes through the new EES system, they will need to provide a few personal details.[6] A passport officer will take a picture of the individual’s face and/or scan their fingerprints. In some cases, travellers have the ability to register this information in advance, through a self-service system at specific border entry points, or through a mobile application called Travel to Europe, if it is available for your country of arrival/departure.
After a traveller has passed through EES for the first time and their data has been recorded, an agent will simply verify their identity for all subsequent entries. At some border crossing points, self-service kiosks will be available for those who have already passed through EES less than three years ago and hold biometric passports.[7][8]
European Union Regulations
[edit]- Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States and determining the conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, and amending the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EU) No 1077/2011 (OJ L 327, 9 December 2017, p. 20).[9]
- Regulation (EU) 2017/2225 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/399 as regards the use of the Entry/Exit System (OJ L 327, 9 December 2017, p. 1).[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational". European Commission. 10 April 2026. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Entry/Exit System". European Union - EES / ETIAS. 14 April 2025. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 26 May 2025 – via Europa.
- ^ a b "What is the EES?". travel-europe.europa.eu. European Union - EES / ETIAS. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ a b "To whom does EES not apply". travel-europe.europa.eu. European Union - EES / ETIAS. Archived from the original on 31 August 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ "Who does not need an ETIAS travel authorisation?". travel-europe.europa.eu. European Union - EES / ETIAS. Retrieved 19 April 2026.
- ^ "EES: Europe's New Entry & Exit System (2025 updates)". insurte.com. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "How will the EES work? What is new during the border checks?". travel-europe.europa.eu. European Union - EES / ETIAS. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "Data held by the EES". travel-europe.europa.eu. European Union - EES / ETIAS. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "Regulation - 2017/2226 - EN - EUR-Lex". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
- ^ "Regulation - 2017/2225 - EN - EUR-Lex". eur-lex.europa.eu. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
See also
[edit]- United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) in the US
- J-BIS in Japan
- European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)