The European Union’s Entry/Exit System went live across all 29 Schengen countries on 10 April 2026 after a phased rollout that began in late 2025. The automated system records entry and exit dates for non-EU nationals and calculates authorised stays.
Travellers from visa-exempt countries must now provide fingerprints and a facial image at the first point of entry. The data is stored for three years and helps authorities detect overstays automatically.
Border agencies report average additional processing times of 30 to 45 minutes during peak hours at major hubs including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt and Amsterdam. Some airports have introduced dedicated EES kiosks to reduce queues.
The system replaces manual stamping of passports and provides travellers with a digital record of their 90-day allowance within any 180-day period. Overstays will result in automatic entry bans of up to five years.
EU officials recommend that travellers arrive at least three hours before departure for international flights during the first six months of full operation. Frequent travellers can use the Registered Traveller Programme at participating airports to speed up future crossings.
Airlines have updated check-in systems to verify EES compliance before boarding. Passengers who have already completed biometric registration in one Schengen country will not need to repeat the process on subsequent trips within the validity period.
The European Commission plans to review processing times in September 2026 and may adjust staffing levels at the busiest border points based on operational data collected during the summer travel season.