What it is
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the EU's digital border record for visitors from outside the EU. It replaces passport stamps. Each time you enter or leave the Schengen area, it records the date and place, and it counts your days towards the 90 in 180 automatically.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully in place since 10 April 2026. The first time you enter, border staff take your fingerprints and a photo, and every entry and exit is logged. Passports are no longer stamped. There's nothing to do before you travel. Children under 12 don't give fingerprints.
Who it applies to
Visitors on US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand passports going to the Schengen area for a short stay. Irish citizens, as EU citizens, aren't registered.
It doesn't apply when you visit Ireland or Cyprus, which aren't part of the Schengen area.
What happens at the border
- The first time you enter, your passport is scanned and your photo and fingerprints are taken. Children under 12 don't give fingerprints.
- Every entry and exit after that is logged, and your passport isn't stamped.
- There's nothing to fill in or pay before you travel.
- Allow extra time at the border, especially on your first trip.
Why it matters for your days
Because every entry and exit is logged, border officers can see exactly how many of your 90 days you've used.
If you stay more than 90 days in 180, you can be fined, removed or banned from coming back. The EES logs every entry and exit, and you'll be refused entry if you've already used your 90 days.
Read how the 90/180 rule works, or count your days with our checker.
EES is not ETIAS
EES is the border record. ETIAS is a separate travel authorisation you'll have to apply for online before you travel, once it starts. See ESTA, ETA, eTA and ETIAS explained.
Checked 26 October 2026 against European Union, European Commission, GOV.UK, US Department of State and SafeTravel.
See the 7 official sources
- What is the EES? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- How does the EES work? (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- FAQs about EES (European Union (Travel to Europe))
- Smart Borders (European Commission (Migration and Home Affairs))
- EU Entry/Exit System (GOV.UK)
- U.S. Travelers in Europe (US Department of State)
- Europe and the Schengen area (SafeTravel (New Zealand Government))