What Is EES And How Does It Work?

Authored by Mikaelle de Oliveira

When I flew into Europe this past July, I joined the usual end-of-flight migration towards passport control. Around an hour and a half later, I finally reached the desk, where my passport was checked and biometrics were taken.

Now that the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) officially became fully operational on 10 April 2026, you might expect every border checkpoint to look very different by now. But while the technology behind passport control is becoming more digital, that doesn’t mean the queues have disappeared.

What Is EES?

EES is a digital system designed to replace physical passport stamps for non-EU travellers making short visits to the participating European countries. Instead of an official stamping a page, the system creates a digital record containing your passport details, facial image and fingerprints.

It applies to stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. You don’t need to apply for EES or pay a fee before travelling. Registration happens when you cross the European border.

How Does EES Work?

When a traveller first crosses a border under EES, border authorities register their passport details and biometric information.

The system records when the traveller enters and leaves. This gives border authorities a digital record of how long someone has spent in the participating countries, making it easier to identify overstays.

Once a traveller has been registered, their details can be checked against their existing EES record during future border crossings rather than starting the registration process again.

Is EES Supposed To Make Border Control Faster?

Part of the reason for introducing EES is to make border checks more efficient. Automated border-control and self-service systems can work with EES, which can help some travellers get through checks faster.

According to Euronews, some major European airports have reported waits of up to two hours since EES was introduced, with average times at Frankfurt reaching 120 minutes in July, compared with 60 minutes in the same month last year. The report also highlights problems with EES kiosks and passengers needing additional assistance.

So, while EES can speed up parts of the border process, it clearly isn’t a fix for long queues.

What Do Travellers Need To Do?

For most travellers, there isn’t an application to complete before the trip. You’ll need your passport and travel documents as usual, and when required, you’ll provide your biometric information at the border. If you’re from a country where you need a visa to enter the EU, you’ll still need to apply for a visa before your trip. EES doesn’t replace your visa – it’s an additional border check when you arrive or exit.

The main change is that your entry and exit are now recorded digitally instead of the traditional passport stamps (I’ll miss those). If you make another trip later, your existing EES record can be checked again.

What About ETIAS?

European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is an upcoming online travel authorisation for people from countries that can visit the participating European countries without a visa. It checks travellers before they arrive at the border.

Eligible travellers will apply online before their trip using their passport and personal details. The application will ask for details such as your full name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, parents’ first names, email address and phone number, along with information from your passport.

The application also includes questions about your background and travel history. The authorisation will then be linked to their passport and checked when they travel. Unlike EES, which records your entry and exit at the border, ETIAS is done before you travel.

There is no confirmed launch date for ETIAS yet, however the EU will announce it a few months before the system goes live.

How EES and ETIAS Fit Together

EES is changing how eligible non-EU travellers enter and exit Europe, replacing passport stamps with digital records and biometric checks. It applies to both visa-required and visa-exempt travellers, while ETIAS is only for people who can enter visa-free.

For travellers, passport stamps are now a thing of the past, but don’t say goodbye to the airport queues just yet. The old system may be gone, but the transition to the new one is still being felt at airports.