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EES 2026: What Travelers Need to Know About the New EU Border System
The digital Entry/Exit System has been fully operational since April 2026. Who is affected and what changes at the border.
Status: September 16, 2026. The Entry/Exit System, or EES, has been fully operational at the external borders of the participating European countries since April 10, 2026. It replaces the traditional passport stamp for many short-term travelers from non-EU countries with a digital entry and exit registration.
Who does the EES apply to?
Generally, non-EU nationals entering one of the 29 connected European countries for a short stay are recorded. This applies both to visa-free travelers and those with short-stay visas. EU citizens are not registered via the EES.
What data is stored at the border?
In addition to data from the travel document, the date and place of entry and exit are recorded. At the first registration, facial images and fingerprints can also be taken. Subsequent controls should proceed faster, although additional waiting times may occur during peak travel periods.
What is useful to do before traveling
- Check your passport for validity and correct spelling.
- Allow extra time at border control when traveling with non-European family members.
- Only use official EU information and do not book paid “EES registration services”: The EES is not a travel authorization.
Source: European Union, official information on the Entry/Exit System.
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