Everything You Need to Know About the EES
Beginning October 12, 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin rolling out across select border points, replacing the traditional passport stamping system with biometric data collection and encrypted visa barcodes. The core purpose of the EES is to automatically register and track the entry and exit of “third-country nationals“—people who are not citizens of an EU country or a Schengen-associated country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland).
What Is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
According to the official EU website, the EES is an automated IT system designed to modernize and secure the way Europe manages its external borders. The EES aims to improve efficiency, simplify travel for visitors, and increase security across borders of Schengen countries.
The EES will store the following information for travelers:
- Personal information from the travel document
- Biometrics: Fingerprints and a facial image
- Timestamps: Entry and exit timestamps
- Entry Refusals: Records of entry refusals, if any
Timeline & Phased Implementation
The EES is expected to begin in October and be fully adopted by 2026.
- October 12, 2025: Limited rollout at selected border crossings
- April 10, 2026: Full implementation across all Schengen external borders
What Travelers Should Expect
During the initial months of implementation, travelers may experience:
- Longer queues at airports and land crossings
- Biometric registration at self-service kiosks
- One-time facial image and fingerprint submission on first entry
- Their data stored securely for future entries
The EES Biometric Process
Under the new Entry/Exit System (EES), non-EU nationals are required to provide biometric data upon their first entry into the European Union. This process is a key part of the system’s shift from manual passport stamping to digital tracking.
During your first border crossing with the EES in effect, you will undergo a two-step biometric registration:
- Fingerprint Scanning: Border officials will scan and record all ten of your fingerprints. This information is securely stored in a central database to create your unique digital profile.
- Facial Recognition: A photograph will also be taken to serve as a facial recognition image, further aiding in your identity verification.
After this initial registration, your biometric data will be used to streamline subsequent border crossings. When you enter the Schengen Area again, officials can quickly verify your identity against the stored data, which helps to expedite the entry process and ensure compliance with the 90/180-day rule for travelers.
Who Will Be Affected?
- Citizens from Non-Visa Exempt Countries (e.g., India, Nigeria, Philippines): Must apply for a Schengen visa and comply with EES biometric protocols.
- Visa-Exempt Citizens (e.g., USA, UK, Australia): Will also be affected by EES, but will not require a Schengen visa. They must comply with biometric data collection and later, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), expected to launch in 2026.
| Traveler Type | Schengen Visa Required? | Travel Insurance Required? | EES Applies? | ETIAS Applies? |
| Citizens of Non-Visa Exempt Countries (e.g. India, China, Nigeria) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Citizens of Visa-Exempt Countries (e.g. USA, UK, Australia) | No | No (Recommended) | Yes | Yes (2026) |
| Dual Nationals (EU + Third Country) | No | No | No | No |
| Long-term EU Residents (Non-citizens) | Usually No | No | No | No |
Travel Insurance Is Still Mandatory
For travelers from non-visa exempt countries such as India, China, Pakistan etc., travel insurance remains a mandatory requirement to obtain a Schengen visa. The Schengen travel insurance policy must:
- Have a minimum coverage of €30,000 (approx. $50,000 USD)
- Cover emergency medical care, hospitalization, evacuation, and repatriation
- Be valid in all Schengen member states
Best Schengen Insurance Plans that Satisfy Visa Requirements
At VisitorsCoverage, we ensure that all the Schengen insurance plans are automatically compliant of the Schengen Visa requirements. When applying for your visa, it’s important to choose a travel insurance policy that:
- Fully complies with Schengen requirements
- Has $0 deductible options
- Provides instant visa letters for documentation
Top Tier Schengen Visa Plans at Visitors Coverage, fully compliant with visa requirements:
Looking Ahead: ETIAS in 2026
The next major change on the horizon is the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Beginning in 2026, visa-exempt travelers will need to apply for ETIAS approval before entering the Schengen zone. This is not a visa, but a pre-travel authorization linked to your passport and valid for multiple short stays.
Please note that the European Union also digitized the Schengen Visa Application process for non-visa exempt country nationals in 2022. This means shorter processing times and minimal paperwork.
How Does the EES Differ from ETIAS?
While the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) are both part of the EU’s broader strategy to digitize and secure its external borders, they operate at different stages of the travel process and apply to different categories of travelers.
ETIAS is not a visa, and its introduction does not modify the visa-free status of travellers. Travelers who already need a Schengen visa will not need ETIAS, but will still fall under the EES framework.
This table explains the differences in detail.
| Feature | EES (Entry/Exit System) | ETIAS (Travel Authorization) |
| Purpose | Track border crossings and monitor overstays | Screen visa-exempt travelers for security, health, and migration risks |
| Applies to | All non-EU travelers (visa-required and visa-exempt) | Visa-exempt travelers only |
| When Used | At the border, during entry and exit | Before travel, completed online |
| Information Needed | Biometric data needed. Personal information from travel documents. Entry/Exit points. | Personal information information needed, such as address, passport details, current occupation, and information about past travel to conflict zones or criminal convictions |
| Main Function | Replace passport stamps; enforce 90/180-day rule | Pre-travel approval for entry into the Schengen Area |
| Biometric Data Collected | Yes, fingerprints and facial image | No, standard personal and travel details only |
| Linked to Visa Application? | Yes, for non-visa exempt nationals | No, only required for travelers who do not need a visa |
| Validity | Data retained for 3 years (visa-exempt) or 5 years (visa-required) | Authorization valid for 3 years or until passport expiry |
| Start Date | October 12, 2025 (phased rollout) | Expected in 2026 |
| Cost to Traveler | No direct fee (part of visa/border process) | Estimated €7 per application |
| Does It Replace Schengen Visa? | No — complements the visa process | No — only for travelers who don’t need a visa |
Stay Ahead with Visitors Coverage
Europe remains to be one of the most sought after travel destinations. However, with changing times, as Europe transitions to fully digital border systems, staying compliant and protected is more important than ever. Whether you’re applying for a Schengen visa or planning a short stay in Europe, VisitorsCoverage will assist you in your journey:
- Explore plans that meet all Schengen visa insurance criteria
- Speak with our licensed travel insurance experts
- Assistance with claim filing
Frequently Asked Questions About EES
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a new EU-wide automated system that registers all non-EU travelers entering or exiting the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period). It replaces passport stamping with electronic records, including biometric data.>
Why has the EES been introduced?
The system is designed to improve border security, detect overstays more effectively, and streamline the border-crossing process. It helps prevent identity fraud and enhances cooperation between Schengen countries.
What information does EES collect?
EES collects personal data from the passport, biometric data (fingerprints and facial image), entry and exit details, and any refusals of entry.
Who is exempt from EES registration?
EES does not apply to EU or EFTA citizens, holders of long-stay visas or residence permits, certain diplomats, and travelers entering or leaving Ireland and Cyprus, which are not part of the Schengen Area.
What if I don’t provide biometric data?
If you do not provide the required biometric data during your first EES-eligible border crossing, you will not be allowed to enter the Schengen Area.
Are children required to submit biometrics?
Yes. Children under 12 are only required to submit a facial image, not fingerprints. Children aged 12 and above must provide both a photo and fingerprints.
Can I register my data in advance?
Some travelers may be able to pre-register certain details using self-service kiosks or mobile apps offered by specific countries. However, even with pre-registration, you must still appear in person at the border for biometric capture.
How long will EES data be stored?
Data will be stored for 3 years for visa-exempt travelers and 5 years for travelers from visa-required countries, or until the travel document expires—whichever comes first.
Is there a way to check my remaining days in the Schengen Area?
Yes. Once fully operational, EES will include an online platform where travelers can check how many days they have remaining under the 90/180-day rule.
Who needs to register under the EES?
All third-country nationals—including both visa-required and visa-exempt travelers—visiting the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period) must register under the EES. The system applies regardless of the travel purpose (tourism, business, family visits, etc.).
How is EES different from ETIAS?
EES and ETIAS serve different purposes. EES records border-crossing data and verifies compliance with the 90/180-day stay rule. ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System), expected in 2026, is a pre-travel authorization system for visa-exempt travelers. ETIAS must be completed online before departure, while EES registration happens at border crossings.
Will EES replace the Schengen visa?
No. The Schengen visa system will remain in place for travelers from non-visa exempt countries. EES is not a visa or visa application platform—it only monitors the movement of travelers who are already authorized to enter the Schengen Area (either via a visa or visa exemption).
Is travel insurance still required?
Yes. For citizens from non-visa exempt countries, travel insurance remains a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa. The insurance must meet EU standards, including coverage of at least €30,000 for emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, evacuation, and repatriation, and be valid throughout the entire Schengen Area.
When will ETIAS go into effect?
ETIAS is expected to launch in 2026, following the full rollout of EES. Once in effect, citizens from visa-exempt countries will need to apply for ETIAS travel authorization before entering the Schengen Zone.
