EES: The new European border Entry/Exit System goes live on 10 April 2026

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Published on : April 10th 2026

The EU’s EES and ETIAS systems form part of a package of measures to improve the management of the Schengen Area’s external borders. The systems will automate identity checks of travellers, making them more reliable and efficient. They will allow EU Member States and the relevant EU agencies to ensure better information sharing, while strictly observing fundamental rights and European legislation on personal data protection.

EES and ETIAS: two systems to manage external borders

The EES, or Entry/Exit System, is a European database in which the Member States record the data of nationals of non-EU and non-Schengen Area countries who cross the external borders of the Schengen Area. It has been gradually implemented since 12 October 2025 and will be fully operational from 10 April 2026. There is nothing to do before travelling.

ETIAS is a travel authorization, and not a visa, similar to ESTA in the USA and ETA in the UK. This new travel authorization, which will be required from last quarter of 2026, should be applied for online prior to travel to an EU Member State (except Ireland and Cyprus) or Schengen Area associated country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).

What is the EES (Entry/Exit System)?

The EES is a European database for the personal data of nationals of non-EU and non-Schengen countries, whether they require a visa or not, when they enter and exit the 29-country Schengen Area.

In practical terms, the EES replaces the current system of manually stamping passports and will enable electronic monitoring of each entry and exit and the length of stay of non-EU and non-Schengen nationals visiting the Schengen Area for a short stay (maximum 90 days within a total period of 180 days).

It has been gradually implemented since 12 October 2025 and will be fully operational from 10 April 2026.

Who does the EES apply to?

The EES applies to all nationals of non-EU and non-Schengen countries, whether they require a visa or not, and who are entering for a short stay of a maximum 90 days within a total period of 180 days) in the territory of a Schengen Area Member State.

Personal data will not be registered in the system for holders of long-stay visas, overseas France visas or residence permits.

Nationals of all EU Member States (including Ireland and Cyprus) and from the Schengen Area are not affected by the EES procedure. Exceptionally, it does not apply to nationals of Andorra, San Marino, Monaco or the Holy See either.

Which countries apply the EES at their borders?

It is applied by the 29 countries of the Schengen Area:

  • The Member States of the EU (except Cyprus and Ireland, which are not members of the Schengen Area);
  • Iceland;
  • Liechtenstein;
  • Norway;
  • Switzerland.

What data are collected?

The EES will collect, record and store the following data:

The data in travel documents: full name, date and place of birth, sex, nationality, travel document number, three-letter code of the issuing country of the travel document, and the expiry date of the travel document;

The place, time, date and purpose of each Schengen Area entry and exit;

The biometric data of the traveller: facial image (photograph of the face) and, except for children under the age of 12, fingerprints.

Further information (French public service website)

Further information (official Travel to Europe website)

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, is a travel authorization, and not a visa, similar to ESTA in the USA and ETA in the UK. Travellers will have to apply online prior to travelling to an EU Member State (with the exception of Ireland) or to a Schengen associated country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).

The ETIAS system is not yet operational. It is currently expected to come on line in the last quarter of 2026.

No websites currently issue ETIAS travel authorizations. BEWARE FRAUDULENT WEBSITES.

Who will it apply to?

ETIAS is aimed at nationals of the 59 countries that are exempt from short-stay visas for entering the Schengen Area.

Nationals of these countries who also hold the nationality of one of an EU Member State or that of one of the Schengen associated States (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) will have to travel with their European travel documents. If they do not have one, they are encouraged to apply for one before travelling.

Nationals of EU Member States and Schengen Area States will not be affected by the ETIAS procedure. Nationals of Andorra and of Monaco will also not be affected by ETIAS.

Ireland will be the only EU Member State not to apply the new procedure at its borders.

How does ETIAS work?

The ETIAS authorization will be issued after payment of a €20 fee, within a maximum of 96 hours from the date of the application. This processing period may be extended if further inquiries are needed.

No fee will be charged to those aged under 18 and over 70, nor to family members of European citizens or of non-EU and non-Schengen nationals who have the right to move freely within the European Union.

The ETIAS authorization will allow the holder to stay in the 30 countries applying the ETIAS system for a maximum of 90 days within a total period of 180 days. It will be valid for multiple entries over 3 years, or until the expiry of the travel document used in the application, if that occurs sooner. This means that the ETIAS authorization allows holders to leave and return to the Schengen Area as often as they wish over a period of 3 years, as long as the total of all stays does not exceed 90 days within any period of 180 days.

Further information (official Travel to Europe website)

Updated: April 2026

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