The long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) is being fully implemented on April 10, 2026, at border points across the Schengen Area, replacing the traditional passport-stamping system with biometric data collection and encrypted visa barcodes. The implementation of the EES system will affect many travelers, both visa-exempt and those who require a Schengen visa, who stay in the Schengen Area for a short visit of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
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. This implementation will take place across the 29 countries in the Schengen Area, which includes 25 countries in the European Union and 4 non-EU countries. The EES aims to improve efficiency, simplify travel for visitors, and increase security across the borders of Schengen countries.
The EES system 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 system was initially introduced on October 12, 2025, and began a gradual 6-month rollout. Now, the full implementation of the EU Entry/Exit system launch will be applied across all Schengen external borders on April 10, 2026.
What Should Travelers Expect During the EU Entry/Exit System Launch?
As the EES system is fully rolled out, travelers may experience:
- Longer queues at major 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
What is the EES Biometric Process Like?
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 By the Entry/Exit System?
- 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 |
Will There Be Travel Delays at Major European Airports?
Most likely yes. Especially during the peak travel season in Europe, travelers who need to go through the EES system for the first time may experience major travel delays. In a joint statement from Airports Council International, Airlines for Europe, and International Air Transport Association, they have warned of delays potentially reaching up to 4 hours in the summertime. So, if you have a connecting flight from the Schengen Area to another country, it is recommended to allow extra time in case of any travel delays.
To reduce EES processing times, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, introduced the “Travel to Europe” mobile app. Currently only available in Sweden and Portugal, it allows eligible travelers to submit passport details and a facial image before they cross the border. However, the app does not replace in-person border checks, and fingerprint collection still remains a required step that must be done at the border.
Will Travel Insurance Cover EES Delays?
Travel insurance typically does not cover travel delays related to the EES system. This is because these wait times are considered a “foreseeable” event and, to some extent, within the traveler’s control, rather than an unexpected mishap. The EES’s purpose is border security and tracking overstays, which is why insurance generally excludes coverage for these delays.
Beyond the entry process, however, travel insurance can ease your mind for the remainder of your trip. Travel insurance can cover you against unexpected emergencies that can happen after you have crossed the border, such as coverage for medical expenses and evacuation. It can even cover certain aspects of your trip expenses, specifically your prepaid, nonrefundable expenses, in case you experience any other delays or cancellations along the way.
Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Europe?
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
What Are the 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 late 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.
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 is 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 |
Where Can I Find the Best Travel Insurance for Europe?
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
