As of 29 October 2026: EES is fully operational at participating external borders (phased start 12 October 2025; full operation from 10 April 2026). ETIAS is still not open.
The Entry/Exit System replaced routine passport stamping for most non-EU short-stay travellers with a biometric record of each crossing. The 90/180 rule did not change. What changed is how reliably officers — and you — can see the count.
What to expect
- First enrolment: fingerprints and a facial image, plus travel-document data.
- Later crossings: faster biometric checks against that file.
- Manual stamping has ended for eligible travellers at participating posts.
- Overstays are visible on screen; “the stamp was unclear” is no longer a soft defence.
First crossing vs later ones
Budget extra time on the first EES enrolment after the system went live for you. Families and groups can hit longer queues. Once enrolled, subsequent exits and entries are usually quicker, but peak holiday banks still create waits.
Your personal day count
EES stores entry and exit events. That history feeds the automatic short-stay calculation officers see. Keep your own trip list anyway: if a kiosk fails, a land border is busy, or you need to dispute a record, your diary and tickets matter. See stamps vs EES records.
Who is covered
Short-stay third-country nationals at participating external borders. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens follow different free-movement rules. Ireland and Cyprus remain outside Schengen. Always confirm the crossing you use is operating EES as expected.
ETIAS is separate
EES is the border register. ETIAS will be a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers when the EU opens it. It is not collecting applications today. Details: EES and ETIAS explained.
Practical takeaway: arrive earlier on first enrolment, carry proof of onward travel, and know your remaining days before you reach the desk.
Plan days before you reach the kiosk
EES makes the count exact — check your allowance before you fly.Frequently asked questions
Do I still get a passport stamp?
For eligible travellers at participating EES borders, routine stamping has ended. The crossing is recorded electronically.
Did EES give me more than 90 days?
No. The short-stay limit is unchanged.
Is ETIAS required at the EES kiosk today?
No. ETIAS is not in operation as of 29 October 2026.