The EU is changing how it controls the borders of the Schengen Area with two IT systems. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is already running. It records non-EU travelers’ entries and exits with fingerprints and a facial image, and it has replaced passport stamps. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is the second piece: an online travel authorization that visa-exempt visitors will need before they travel.
As of October 2026, EES is fully operational, but ETIAS is not yet live. The EU’s official target had been the last quarter of 2026, and reporting since July 2026 points to a start in 2027. This guide explains what each system does, who it covers, and what it means for people who spend long periods in Europe.
Key takeaways
- EES started on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. It replaces passport stamps for non-EU short-stay travelers in 29 European countries.
- At your first crossing under EES, border staff record your passport data, a facial image and fingerprints. Children under 12 give a facial image but no fingerprints.
- EES calculates your days under the Schengen 90/180 rule automatically and flags overstays.
- ETIAS will be a €20 online authorization for visa-exempt travelers, valid for three years or until the passport expires. Travelers under 18 or over 70 will not pay the fee.
- As of October 2026, ETIAS is not operating, and no official start date has been published.
EES and ETIAS at a glance
| Point | EES (Entry/Exit System) | ETIAS (travel authorization) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A database that records each border crossing | A pre-travel online authorization |
| Status as of October 2026 | Fully operational since 10 April 2026 | Not yet operating; start date to be announced |
| Who it covers | Non-EU nationals on short stays, with or without a visa | Visa-exempt non-EU nationals only |
| Countries | 29 Schengen countries | 30 countries: the Schengen Area plus Cyprus |
| What you do | Give biometrics at the border | Apply online before you travel |
| Cost | Free | €20, with exemptions by age |
| Data kept | 3 years, or 5 years if no exit is recorded | Valid for 3 years or until the passport expires |
What the Entry/Exit System is
The EES is a shared EU database for border checks. According to the European Commission, operations started progressively from 12 October 2025, and the system became fully operational on 10 April 2026. From that date, it replaced the stamping of passports.
For each traveler, the EES stores the name and travel document data, fingerprints and a facial image, and the date and place of each entry and exit. It also records refusals of entry. Because every crossing is in one system, the EES can calculate how many days a traveler has used under the Schengen 90/180 rule and identify people who stay too long.
What happens at the border under EES
Your first crossing after EES started is the longest. Border staff, or a self-service kiosk at some crossings, scan your passport, take a facial image and record your fingerprints. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints, but a facial image is still taken, and each child needs their own travel document.
On later trips, the border check verifies you against the stored record, usually with a face or fingerprint scan. When you leave, the exit is recorded too. You no longer receive an entry or exit stamp, so the EES record is now the official proof of your dates.
Who EES covers and who it does not
EES applies to non-EU nationals who come for a short stay, which covers both visa-exempt travelers and holders of Schengen short-stay visas. It applies at the external borders of the 29 Schengen countries. Cyprus and Ireland do not use it.
Several groups are outside the system:
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens.
- Non-EU nationals who hold a residence permit or a long-stay visa issued by a Schengen country.
- Family members of EU citizens who hold a residence card.
If you live in a Schengen country on a residence permit, such as a digital nomad visa or a golden visa, you show that document at the border instead of registering in the EES.
What EES means for the 90/180 rule
Before EES, an officer had to read a passport full of stamps to work out your days. Now the system does the arithmetic. An overstay that once went unnoticed is likely to show up at the next border check, even if you leave through a different country.
Data retention also matters. Records are normally deleted three years after your last exit. If no exit is recorded after your authorized stay ends, the data is kept for five years, and overstayers are placed on a list shared with border, visa and immigration authorities. Travelers who overstayed because of unforeseeable, serious events can ask for their data to be corrected if they have credible evidence.
The EES does not replace your own records. It is still wise to keep a personal log of your dates, because border data is not always easy to access and you may need the same dates for tax purposes. Our guide on how to track days for tax residency explains how.
What ETIAS is
ETIAS is a travel authorization, not a visa. It works in a similar way to the US ESTA. Visa-exempt travelers will apply online before they travel, and the system will check their details against EU security, migration and health databases.
The key features under EU law are:
- Who needs it: nationals of countries whose citizens do not need a Schengen visa, such as the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
- Where it applies: 30 European countries, which are the 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus.
- Validity: three years, or until the passport you used expires, whichever comes first. It allows multiple entries.
- Stay limit: ETIAS does not add time. The 90 days in any 180-day period rule still applies.
- Fee: €20, set by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1411. The original 2018 regulation had set a fee of €7. Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee.
The EU has said most applications will be processed within minutes. Some can take up to four days, and longer if the authorities ask for more information or an interview. An approved ETIAS does not guarantee entry. Border guards still check that you meet the entry conditions when you arrive.
When ETIAS starts: status as of October 2026
ETIAS has been delayed several times. In 2025, the EU set a target of the last quarter of 2026. In July 2026, AFAR reported, citing the Financial Times, that eu-LISA, the EU agency building the system, had acknowledged that a launch by the end of 2026 was no longer feasible, and that the start was expected in 2027.
As of October 2026, ETIAS is not operating and no official start date has been published. The EU has said it will announce the date several months before launch. The ETIAS Regulation (EU) 2018/1240 also provides for a transitional period and then a grace period after launch, during which travelers without an authorization can still enter if they meet the other conditions. The exact dates of those periods will be announced with the launch.
Until then, no website can sell you a valid ETIAS. Unofficial sites that take applications or payments now are not part of the EU system. When ETIAS opens, the EU’s official travel website and app will be the place to apply.
Practical points for long-stay travelers
- Passport renewals. An ETIAS will be linked to one passport. If you get a new passport, you will need a new authorization.
- Dual nationals. Travelers who hold an EU passport and another passport usually enter as EU citizens, which keeps them outside EES and ETIAS. Our guide to the best second passports covers why some people value an EU nationality.
- Residents. Holders of a Schengen residence permit or national long-stay visa do not need ETIAS for travel within its scope and are outside EES.
- Border hopping. EES makes it very hard to stretch time in Schengen through repeated exits. Our guide to visa runs explains why those strategies do not work in the Schengen Area.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ETIAS to travel to Europe right now?
No. As of October 2026, ETIAS is not operating, and no official start date has been published. Visa-exempt travelers can enter under the usual rules, and the EES registers them at the border.
Do UK citizens need ETIAS?
Yes, once it starts. UK citizens are visa-exempt non-EU nationals, so they fall within ETIAS. They are also registered in the EES when they cross a Schengen external border.
Does EES apply to people with an EU residence permit?
No. Non-EU nationals who hold a residence permit or a long-stay visa from a Schengen country are outside the EES. They show that document at the border.
Does ETIAS let me stay longer than 90 days?
No. ETIAS is permission to travel, not extra time. The limit of 90 days in any 180-day period still applies across the Schengen Area.
How much will ETIAS cost?
The fee is €20 under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1411. Applicants under 18 or over 70 are exempt from the fee.
Important: This article is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules change often and depend on your personal circumstances. Speak with a qualified professional in each relevant country before you act.