EES and ETIAS: the two new EU border systems, and which one affects you

Two separate EU systems are changing how non-EU travellers cross the Schengen border. One is already running and happens at the border itself. The other has not started yet and happens online, before you travel.

EES: the biometric record at the border

The Entry/Exit System registers every non-EU national making a short stay, at each crossing of the external border. It began a phased rollout on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational across all participating countries since 10 April 2026.

• It records your name and travel document, plus a facial image and fingerprints.
• It logs the date, time and place of every entry and exit, and any refusal of entry.
• It replaces the passport stamp. Overstays are now detected automatically.
• It operates across 29 European countries.
• There is nothing to apply for and nothing to pay. Registration happens when you arrive.

ETIAS: the authorisation you apply for online

ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation for people who do not need a visa for short stays, covering 30 European countries. It is scheduled to start in the last quarter of 2026.

• It costs 20 EUR, one payment per application.
• Applicants under 18 or over 70 do not pay the fee.
• It is valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• Most applications are approved within minutes, but do not leave it to the airport.
• Travellers who need a Schengen visa do not need ETIAS; the visa covers it.

Which one applies to you