EES · ETIAS — Last checked 5 November 2026

Travelling to Europe? Here’s what changed.

Europe’s border now registers every non-EU visitor digitally (EES). A travel authorisation (ETIAS) comes later. We track both, in plain language, and always link to the official source.

Status at a glance

Last checked

Live EES Entry/Exit System Fully operational since 10 April 2026 in 29 countries. Registered at the border, free. Not started ETIAS Travel authorisation Not live. No applications yet. Expected in 2027, no official date.
29
countries register you with EES
€20
planned ETIAS fee
3 yrs
ETIAS validity
90/180
day rule stays the same

What you need to know now

  1. EES is live. At your first entry, border staff take your fingerprints and a photo. It is free and you don’t need to register beforehand. How EES works
  2. ETIAS is not live. Don’t pay any site for an “ETIAS” today. ETIAS explained
  3. Plan extra time. First-time registration takes longer, especially at busy airports. Border tips

Latest news

All news ›

  1. ETIAS ·

    No ETIAS start date yet

    Travel guides tracking the system report that no new launch date has been announced. The official site still says applications are not being collected.

    Source: Schengentraveler ↗

  2. ETIAS ·

    Revised ETIAS schedule under review

    The board of eu-LISA, the EU agency building ETIAS, was expected to discuss a revised timeline in September. No official outcome has been published.

    Source: Navan ↗

  3. ETIAS ·

    2026 launch target dropped

    The “last quarter of 2026” target disappeared from the official ETIAS website. Media point to problems with the EES rollout as the reason. 2027 is now the working expectation.

    Source: The Points Guy ↗

  4. EES ·

    Long queues in the first weeks of full EES

    Reports from major airports describe extended queues and some missed connections after passport stamps were fully replaced by EES.

    Source: EY Global Tax News ↗

From the blog

All articles ›
ETIAS · 2 min read ETIAS delayed to 2027: what we know so far ETIAS will not start in 2026. What changed, what is still unclear, and what it means for your trips to Europe next year. EES · 2 min read Your first EES registration, step by step What happens at the border the first time you enter Europe under EES: kiosks, fingerprints, photo and the questions you may get. Planning · 2 min read The 90/180-day rule, explained with examples How the Schengen 90/180-day rule works, why EES now counts your days automatically, and three examples to avoid an overstay.

Frequently asked

Is ETIAS required now?

No. As of the last check, ETIAS is not running and no applications are collected. A start in 2027 is expected but not confirmed. Anyone asking you to pay for ETIAS today is not the EU.

Do I need to register for EES before I travel?

No. EES registration happens at the border itself, the first time you enter one of the 29 EES countries. It is free. Some countries offer self-service kiosks or an app to speed it up, but you never pay for EES.

What data does EES collect?

Your name, passport details, a facial image and (from age 12) four fingerprints, plus the date and place of every entry and exit. The data is kept for three years, longer if you overstay.

Does EES replace the 90/180-day rule?

No. The rule stays the same: at most 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area. EES just counts your days automatically instead of relying on passport stamps.

All questions

Sources

Last checked