Biometrics and documents
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
Short answer
- Status
- Fully operational since 10 April 2026 1
- Progressive start
- 12 October 2025 1
- Countries
- 29 European countries 1
- Who is registered
- Non-EU nationals on short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period 2
- Data recorded
- Name, travel document data, fingerprints, facial image, date and place of entry and exit, refusals of entry 1
- Operator
- eu-LISA 1
What the EES does
The EES registers non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay each time they cross an external border of the 29 participating European countries 1. It records their name, travel document data, biometric data and the date and place of entry and exit. It records refusals of entry too 1.
The Commission says that from 10 April 2026 the EES replaces the stamping of passports. The Commission says this allows automatic detection of overstayers 1.
What happens at the border
The Commission explained on 13 October 2025 that full registration takes place at the first entry and the first exit. Later entries and exits need only a quick verification 2. Registration covers passport data, a facial image and fingerprints 2.
The system applies to non-EU travellers entering or leaving for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period 2.
Rollout timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 30 November 2017 4 | Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 establishing the EES is signed. It was published on 9 December 2017 4 |
| 18 July 2025 1 | Regulation (EU) 2025/1534 on a progressive start is adopted. It entered into force on 26 July 2025 1 |
| 30 July 2025 1 | The Commission sets 12 October 2025 as the launch date 1 |
| 12 October 2025 1,2 | Progressive start of operations over six months, with each country choosing when and where to deploy 2 |
| 10 April 2026 1 | Fully operational at all external border crossing points. Passport stamping ends 1 |
Legal basis
The EES rests on Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, adopted with a targeted amendment to the Schengen Borders Code 1. The Commission page gives the adoption date as 20 November 2017 1. The Official Journal record dates the Regulation 30 November 2017 4. The Regulation sets conditions for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, according to its title 4.
Regulation (EU) 2025/1534 set temporary derogations from the EES Regulation and the Schengen Borders Code so that the system could start in stages 1.
First results reported
Thomas Wahl of the Max Planck Institute, writing in eucrim on 15 April 2026, reported Commission figures of more than 45 million border crossings recorded and more than 24,000 refusals of entry, as of a Commission press release of 30 March 2026 3.
The same article said Romanian authorities used the system to find a person travelling under two identities who had been refused entry several times before 3.
Link with ETIAS
The Connexion reported on 18 August 2026 that the planned ETIAS travel authorisation was designed to start about six months after the full EES rollout of 10 April 2026 5.
Common questions
When did the EES start?
Progressive operations began on 12 October 2025. The system became fully operational on 10 April 2026 1.
Does the EES take fingerprints?
Yes. It records fingerprints and a facial image along with travel document data 1.
Are passports still stamped in the Schengen area?
No. From 10 April 2026 the EES replaces passport stamping 1.
Do I register every time I cross?
Full registration happens at the first entry and first exit. Later crossings need a quick verification 2.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs: Entry/Exit System (EES) (10 April 2026)
- European Commission: How the new digital borders system works (13 October 2025)
- eucrim, Thomas Wahl: Entry/Exit System (EES) Fully Operational Since 10 April 2026 (15 April 2026)
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) (9 December 2017)
- The Connexion, Zane Lilley: Delay forecast for EU travel authorisation scheme after website changes (18 August 2026)
Related
- European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)
ETIAS is not yet operating and collects no applications. Fee set at EUR 20, legal basis, databases checked and the latest start date reporting.
- Biometric e-gates
How automated border e-gates check passports and faces, who can use UK ePassport gates and Australian SmartGates, and the EU rules under the EES.
- ePassports and the ICAO Public Key Directory (PKD)
How ePassports are digitally signed, how border systems check the chip, what the ICAO PKD does and what ICAO Doc 9303 covers.
- UK electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
The UK ETA costs £20, lasts 2 years or to passport expiry, and is needed by most visa-free visitors. Rollout dates, refusals and legal basis.