EES and ETIAS: What Travellers Need to Know
Travelling to Europe is changing, with two new systems being introduced: EES (Entry/Exit System) and ETIAS (travel authorisation). While they are often mentioned together, they are completely different and will be introduced at different times.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to launch first, with rollout beginning from April 2026. This is a border control system that replaces passport stamping and automatically records when you enter and leave the Schengen Area using your passport details and biometric data. You do not need to apply for EES in advance, as it happens when you arrive at the border. In some locations, you may have the option to use a mobile app to pre-register your details, but this is optional and not widely available.
ETIAS, which will follow later, is a travel authorisation that must be approved before you travel. Once introduced (estimated for October 2026), travellers from visa-exempt countries, including the United Kingdom, will need to apply online and receive approval before boarding flights, ferries, or trains to Europe. ETIAS will be valid for multiple trips over several years and is similar to systems already used in countries such as the United States.
If you are not from a visa-exempt country, ETIAS will not apply to you. In this case, you will need to apply for a Schengen visa instead, which is a more detailed application process handled through an embassy or visa centre. This usually involves providing supporting documents such as accommodation details, return travel, travel insurance, and proof of funds, and may require an in-person appointment before your trip.
Travellers using a Schengen visa will still go through EES checks at the border, just like visa-exempt travellers using ETIAS. The EES system applies to all non-EU travellers and is used to record entries and exits from the Schengen Area, regardless of whether you are travelling with ETIAS or a visa.
The simplest way to understand the difference is this: EES happens at the border, while ETIAS is required before you travel. Both systems will apply to many travellers visiting Europe, but they serve different purposes and are not used in the same way.
Countries Using Both EES and ETIAS
Most travellers visiting Europe will be travelling to countries where both EES (Entry/Exit System) and ETIAS (travel authorisation) apply together. These are the countries that make up the Schengen Area, which operates as a single travel zone with shared border rules.
If you are travelling to any of the countries listed below, you will need to apply for ETIAS before travelling (once introduced), and you will go through EES border checks when you arrive.
The countries using both systems are:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
These countries operate as a single travel area, which means your time spent across all of them is combined. The 90 days in any 180-day period rule applies across the entire Schengen Area, not individually per country.
For example, time spent in France, Italy and Spain is all counted together, not separately. This is one of the most important rules for travellers to understand, and the EES system is designed to track this automatically.
From a practical point of view, once you enter one of these countries and pass through border control, you can usually travel between the others without further passport checks. Travel between countries such as Germany and Austria or Spain and Portugal will feel similar to domestic travel.
However, your entry and exit are recorded digitally, and overstaying your permitted time can result in fines, entry bans, or future travel restrictions.
For most travellers, this is the main group of countries that matters. If you are visiting Europe for a holiday, city break, or multi-country trip, you will almost certainly be travelling within this system.
Countries Requiring ETIAS Only (No EES)
Some European countries are not yet fully part of the Schengen border system, but will still require ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers. This creates an important difference, as these destinations follow different border procedures compared to core Schengen countries.
The main countries in this category are Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria.
If you are travelling to any of these destinations, you will still need to apply for ETIAS before your trip, just as you would for countries such as France or Italy. However, when you arrive, you will not go through the full Entry/Exit System (EES) process in the same way as you would in Schengen countries.
Instead, border checks in these countries are currently handled using their existing national systems, which may still include passport stamping and more traditional immigration procedures. This means your entry and exit may not be recorded digitally in the same way as under EES, at least during the early stages of rollout.
These countries are in a transitional phase of joining the Schengen system, and their integration is happening in stages. For example, some may apply Schengen rules for air and sea travel before fully aligning land borders and digital systems such as EES.
For travellers, the key point is that while the pre-travel requirement (ETIAS) will be the same, the arrival experience at the border may feel different depending on which country you enter. You may encounter a more traditional passport control process rather than automated kiosks or biometric registration.
Over time, these countries are expected to move closer to full Schengen integration, which may eventually bring them into the EES system as well.
Countries Using Neither EES Nor ETIAS
Some European countries operate completely separate immigration systems and are not part of either EES or ETIAS. The most important example for travellers is Ireland.
Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area and has chosen not to participate in either system. Instead, it operates its own border controls and is part of the Common Travel Area (CTA) with the United Kingdom.
For travellers, this means that visiting Ireland is entirely separate from travelling within the Schengen Area. You do not need ETIAS to enter Ireland, and you will not go through EES checks at the border.
Border procedures in Ireland follow national immigration rules, and you may be asked to show documents such as proof of accommodation, return travel, or sufficient funds, depending on your circumstances.
It is also important to understand that travelling between Ireland and Schengen countries can involve different border processes within the same trip. For example, you could enter Europe through France using EES and ETIAS, then travel to Ireland where neither system applies.
Understanding this distinction is important when planning multi-country trips, as it helps ensure you have the correct documents and expectations for each part of your journey.
ETIAS: When to Apply, Validity and Travel Rules
Once ETIAS is introduced, travellers from visa-exempt countries will need to apply online before travelling to Europe. You cannot apply at the airport or on arrival, so it is important to complete your application in advance.
Most applications are expected to be processed quickly, often within minutes, but some may take longer if additional checks are required. Because of this, it is recommended to apply at least a few days before your trip, rather than leaving it until the last minute.
Once approved, ETIAS is expected to be valid for up to three years, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first. During this time, you can travel to Europe multiple times without applying again, as long as your ETIAS remains valid.
However, ETIAS does not change the existing Schengen travel rules. You can still only stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, regardless of how many countries you visit.
This rule applies across the entire Schengen Area, not per country. Time spent in France, Spain, Italy, Germany or any other Schengen country is all counted together as part of the same 90-day limit.
It is also important to understand that ETIAS is not linked to a specific country. You do not apply to France, Italy, or any individual destination. Instead, ETIAS covers the entire Schengen Area, allowing you to travel freely between countries once you enter.
If your passport expires, is lost, or replaced, your ETIAS will no longer be valid and you will need to apply again using your new passport details.
Finally, ETIAS approval allows you to travel to Europe, but it does not guarantee entry. Border officers can still ask questions about your trip, including your accommodation, return travel, and proof of funds before allowing you to enter.
EES: What Happens at the Border When You Arrive in Europe
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border system that will record when non-EU travellers enter and leave the Schengen Area. It replaces the traditional passport stamping process and introduces a more modern system based on passport data and biometric identification.
For travellers, the most important thing to understand is that you do not need to apply for EES in advance. There is no form to complete and nothing to download before travelling. Instead, the process takes place when you arrive at the border, whether that is at an airport, ferry terminal, or land crossing.
What Actually Happens When You Arrive
When you arrive in a Schengen country, the process will feel familiar at first. You will still go through passport control, but the checks will now include additional steps, particularly on your first visit after EES is introduced.
Your passport will be scanned, and your details will be recorded in the system. You will also be asked to provide biometric data, which usually includes a facial image and, in most cases, fingerprints. This replaces the need for a physical passport stamp and creates a digital record of your entry.
This information is stored securely and used to track how long you stay in the Schengen Area, ensuring that the 90 days in any 180-day period rule is applied accurately across all countries in the zone.
Your First Trip Will Take Longer
The first time you travel under EES, the process is expected to take slightly longer than what travellers are used to today. This is because your biometric data needs to be collected and registered for the first time.
You may be directed to a self-service kiosk or guided through the process by border staff. Even if automated systems are available, most travellers will still need to interact with a border officer before being allowed to enter.
On later trips, the process should become noticeably quicker. Because your data is already stored in the system, you may be able to use automated gates or faster processing lanes, depending on the airport or border crossing.
What It Looks Like at Airports, Ferry Ports and Land Borders
While the system is the same across the Schengen Area, the experience can vary depending on where you arrive.
At major international airports, you are more likely to encounter automated kiosks and e-gates, which allow you to complete part of the process yourself before seeing a border officer. These systems are designed to manage high passenger volumes and reduce queues over time.
At ferry terminals and land borders, the process may feel more traditional, with checks carried out directly by border officers. In these locations, the introduction of EES may initially lead to longer queues, particularly during busy travel periods.
Even where automated systems are available, travellers should expect that manual checks may still take place, especially during the early stages of the rollout.
What This Means for Your Travel Time
During the early stages of EES, travellers should expect slightly longer processing times at the border, particularly at busy airports and ferry ports. This is a new system, and both travellers and border authorities will be adjusting to how it works in practice.
If you are connecting to another flight or travelling on a tight schedule, it is sensible to allow extra time for arrival and border control, especially during the first year of rollout.
Being prepared, having your documents ready, and following instructions at the border will help make the process smoother.
Where the Travel to Europe App Fits In
In some locations, travellers may have the option to use the Travel to Europe app before arriving in Europe. This app is part of the Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout and is designed to make border checks faster by allowing you to complete part of the process in advance.
Using the app, you can pre-register your passport details, scan the chip inside your passport using your phone, take a facial image, and answer basic travel questions before reaching the border. This means that when you arrive, border authorities already have your information, which can help reduce waiting times and streamline the process.
At the moment, the app is only available in a limited number of countries. The most complete implementation is in Sweden, where travellers can use the app to submit passport data, biometric information, and entry details before arriving. In Sweden, this can significantly speed up the process at participating border points, particularly at major airports.
Portugal is currently testing the app, but with more limited functionality. In its current form, it mainly supports the entry questionnaire, and full biometric pre-registration may not yet be available in all locations.
Other Schengen countries are expected to introduce the app over time, but availability and features will vary. Each country decides how and when to implement the system, which means the app is not yet widely used across Europe.
It is important to understand that the app is completely optional. You do not need to download it or use it to travel. If you choose not to use the app, you will simply complete all checks at the border as normal.
Even if you do use the app, you will still need to go through passport control and identity checks in person. The app does not replace border checks and does not guarantee entry. It simply allows you to complete part of the process in advance, helping make your arrival smoother and more efficient.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Planning a trip to Europe with the new EES and ETIAS systems? Rupert’s got a few simple tips to keep things smooth:
- Apply for ETIAS early: Don’t leave it until the last minute. Most approvals are quick, but delays can happen.
- Expect longer queues at first: EES is new, so allow extra time at airports and ferry terminals, especially in 2026.
- Have your documents ready: Passport, accommodation and return travel details may still be checked at the border.
- Know your 90-day limit: Time across all Schengen countries counts together — not per country.
- Don’t worry about the app: The Travel to Europe app is optional and not widely available yet.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both ETIAS and EES to travel to Europe?
Yes. Once introduced, you will need ETIAS approval before travelling, and you will go through EES checks at the border when you arrive.
When does EES start?
EES is expected to begin rollout from April 2026, with gradual implementation across Schengen countries.
Do I need to apply for EES before travelling?
No. EES is not something you apply for. It happens automatically when you go through border control.
Do I need ETIAS for every trip to Europe?
No. ETIAS is valid for multiple trips over several years, as long as your passport remains valid.
What if I need a visa instead of ETIAS?
If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you must apply for a Schengen visa. You will still go through EES checks at the border.
Can I travel between Schengen countries once I enter?
Yes. After entering the Schengen Area, you can usually travel between countries without additional border checks.
Is the Travel to Europe app required?
No. The app is optional and currently only available in limited locations such as Sweden.
Further Reading & Related Guides
If you are planning a trip to Europe under the new entry rules, it is worth understanding the differences between ETIAS, EES and traditional visa requirements before you travel. Our ETIAS Guide explains how the system works in detail, including how to apply, how long it lasts, and what to expect when travelling to the Schengen Area.
If you are unsure whether ETIAS applies to you, or if you may need a visa instead, our Schengen Visa Guide covers the full application process, including required documents, timelines and what to expect at visa centres or embassies.
Because both ETIAS and EES affect how you enter Europe, it is also important to prepare for the practical side of travel. Many travellers now rely on mobile connectivity when arriving in a new country, so you may find our eSIM Apps Guide useful for staying connected without needing a physical SIM card.
You may also want to read our Travel Insurance Apps Guide, which explains how to make sure you are covered before travelling, particularly as border officials may ask for proof of travel insurance in some situations.
Reading these guides together will help you fully understand the new travel systems, avoid common mistakes, and ensure your trip to Europe runs smoothly from departure to arrival.
Last Updated
April 2026
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