Schengen area · Required now
EESwho needs it, the official fee, how to apply
There’s nothing to apply for or pay. Since the Entry/Exit System became fully operational on April 10, 2026, non-EU visitors to the Schengen area have their passport scanned, fingerprints taken and a photo recorded at their first border crossing, instead of a passport stamp. It records every entry and exit, so the 90/180-day rule is now checked automatically.
Checked against official sources Oct 29, 2026 · Sources
- Status
- Required since Oct 12, 2025
- Official fee
- Free (no application)
- Each visit
- Checks the 90-days-in-any-180-days rule automatically
- Official decision time
- Done at the border; the first registration takes longer than later crossings
Who needs it
Non-EU visitors on short stays, with or without a visa, including Americans, Britons, Canadians and Australians, entering any of the 29 Schengen countries. Cyprus and Ireland don’t use EES.
Who doesn’t
Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and some others such as long-term residents of a Schengen country.
How to apply
- At your first crossing into the Schengen area, your passport is scanned and your face photo and four fingerprints are recorded (visa holders give only a photo).
- Some countries let you pre-register up to 72 hours before arrival in the official “Travel to Europe” app, or use self-service kiosks at the border.
- On later trips, the border only checks your face or fingerprints against your record.
Children
Children are registered, but fingerprints of children under 12 are not taken.
If you’re only changing planes
UK government advice says EES applies when entering by land, sea or air, excluding airport transit.
Why it matters for your days
Because every entry and exit is recorded, overstaying the 90-days-in-any-180-days limit is detected automatically. Count your days with our Schengen calculator.
Official sources
- The new Entry/Exit System went live on 12 October - Migration and Home Affairs (13 October 2025) ·
On 12 October, 29 European countries started introducing Europe’s new digital border system - the Entry/Exit System (EES) at their external borders.
· checked 2026-10-29 - FAQs about EES - EES ·
This progressive implementation lasted until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES is fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.
· checked 2026-10-29 - How does the EES work? - EES ·
You will have to provide your personal data. Passport control officers will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints. This information will be recorded in a digital file.
· checked 2026-10-29 - What is the EES? - EES ·
For the purpose of the EES, ‘non-EU national’ means a traveller not holding the nationality of any European Union country or the nationality of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
· checked 2026-10-29 - Main differences between the EES and ETIAS: What travellers need to know - Migration and Home Affairs (28 April 2026) ·
You can also pre-register your data within 72 hours prior to entering a European country using the “Travel to Europe” mobile app and this way speed up your border checks.
· checked 2026-10-29 - The Entry/Exit System will become fully operational on 10 April 2026 - Migration and Home Affairs (30 March 2026) ·
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) started operations on 12 October 2025 with a progressive roll-out in 29 European countries. As of 10 April 2026, the EES will become fully operational.
· checked 2026-10-29 - Entry requirements - France travel advice - GOV.UK (page updated 2026-10-22) ·
There is no cost for EES registration.
· checked 2026-10-29 - France Travel Advice & Safety - Smartraveller (updated 30 October 2026 AEST) ·
Be alert to fraudulent websites that say you need to register or pay a fee before you travel to the EU.
· checked 2026-10-29
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Get an email when these rules change
Only when an official entry rule we track changes: a new travel authorization, a fee, a start date or a passport rule. At most once a week, with the official source for every change.