The EU’s Entry/Exit System is now live at every border

Before ETIAS arrives, the EU has already switched on the system it depends on. The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at external Schengen borders since 10 April 2026, after a phased rollout that began on 12 October 2025. If you have crossed an EU border recently, you have probably already used it.

What EES actually does

EES is an automated border record. It replaces the manual passport stamp for non-EU visitors with a digital entry and exit log. On your first crossing it records your facial image, fingerprints and travel-document data. On later trips the officers only verify the biometrics already on file, which takes less time than the first registration.

It applies to non-EU nationals making short stays, whether or not they need a visa, so it covers travellers from the UK, US, Canada and Australia. It is a registration carried out at the border, so there is nothing to apply for in advance.

How EES is different from ETIAS

• EES happens at the border. It is a check carried out when you arrive and leave. ETIAS is an authorisation you get before you travel.
• EES has no application; ETIAS has a €20 fee. The EES record is made at the border. ETIAS is an online application with a fee, and the authorisation is linked to your passport.
• EES is live now; ETIAS is not. EES is running today. The EU has not announced an ETIAS start date; press reporting on EU planning points to 2027.

We cover the full breakdown on EES vs ETIAS.

Why it matters for the ETIAS timeline

EES had to come first. The two systems are designed to work together: EES logs who crosses, and ETIAS pre-screens who is allowed to before they arrive. The official EES FAQ says ETIAS is expected to launch soon after the EES. With the border system running, the authorisation is the next step, though the EU says it will announce the ETIAS start date several months before launch.

What to do now

Nothing for EES beyond expecting a short biometric check on your next EU trip, and a little extra patience at busy border points while the system settles. For ETIAS, there is still nothing to apply for. If you want to know the moment that changes, check the ETIAS status page.