Is the EES for Europe the same as ETIAS?

Both EES and ETIAS contribute to Schengen border security, but operate in different ways. Together, the systems are designed to modernise border control and make European destinations even safer.

EES is already operational, while ETIAS is expected to follow in 2026 . This page gives more information about how both systems work and how they’ll impact travellers moving through European border controls.

WHAT IS THE EES?

The Entry-Exit System (EES) is now used by 29 European countries at their external borders. It registers the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay. The system also records instances where entry is refused.

EES supports other border control systems in managing the movement of travellers to and from participating countries. It applies to non-EU nationals who visit short term, whether they are visa-exempt or hold a short-stay visa.

A short stay is defined as 90 days within any 180-day period. Long stays are outside the short-stay scope of EES and are usually covered by national long-stay visas, residence permits, or residence cards issued by each European country.

Along with other European border systems, like the Visa Information System (VIS) and future ETIAS travel authorisation, EES helps to:

Who’s exempt from EES?

EES doesn’t apply to every non-EU national. You may be exempt if you have a residence permit in a country using EES, or if you’re a family member of an EU citizen.

Security staff at border checkpoints will explain what the requirements are in your case. Follow their instructions for efficient processing through immigration screening.

WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF EUROPE'S EES?

The overall aim of the Entry/Exit System for Europe is to modernise border management. EES does this by:

By making border crossings more efficient and effective, EES increases security and helps prevent serious crime. It also helps to reduce overstaying in the Schengen Area.

WHAT DATA WILL THE ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM GATHER?

To achieve its security aims, EES collects:

EES data may be accessed by border, visa, and immigration authorities in countries using EES for identity and entry or stay checks.

Law enforcement authorities and Europol may also access EES data for investigative purposes where authorised.

THE ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM AND BIOMETRIC TECHNOLOGY

EES uses biometric technology to help check travellers more securely at the border. The biometric details collected vary from person to person. They’re usually recorded the first time you cross an external border using EES.

EES may collect:

If you’re travelling with a visa, fingerprints may already have been taken during your application process, so additional prints may not be required. Children under 12 are currently not fingerprinted.

Once collected, your data may be stored in EES, so border officers may only need to verify it on future trips. You may still need to speak to a passport control officer, and border staff can still collect or check details again if needed.

Where biometric passports, eGates, or self-service kiosks are available, checks are usually quicker. This replaces manual passport stamping for non-EU nationals registered in EES at the external borders of countries using the system.

HOW DOES THE EES DIFFER FROM THE ETIAS FOR EUROPE?

EES records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay to participating countries. It has replaced manual passport stamping at external borders.

EES is now used at the external borders of 29 European countries, including most Schengen countries, but not Cyprus or Ireland. Manual processes still apply at all other border crossing points in Europe.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is a different system from EES. It’s a type of travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, not a visa, similar to the United States ESTA.

Once launched, ETIAS will apply to visa-exempt non-EU nationals travelling to the 30 European countries covered by ETIAS once the system starts.

ETIAS AND THE EES GATHER DIFFERENT INFORMATION

A key difference between EES and ETIAS is the information collected through each process. The details shared in each process are explained in this table:

ETIAS BEFORE TRAVEL, EES ON ARRIVAL AND EXIT

Once ETIAS starts, it will be a pre-travel requirement, allowing travellers to be screened before they arrive in the European countries covered by the programme.

This includes checks against security databases, including the ETIAS Watchlist, Europol, and Interpol, to help detect possible threats. ETIAS will only be granted if the application doesn’t raise security, immigration, or public health concerns.

In contrast, EES records information when a non-EU national enters or exits a country using EES. It helps check how long travelers have stayed and whether short-stay visa holders have already used the number of entries permitted.

ETIAS AND EES ARE CHECKED BEFORE BOARDING TRANSPORT

One similarity between the 2 systems is that some EES and ETIAS checks happen before you reach the border.

Because EES is now operational, carriers can check EES before boarding. This helps confirm whether a passenger has already used the number of entries allowed by their short-stay visa.

Once ETIAS starts, carriers will also verify whether visa-exempt travellers have a valid ETIAS travel authorisation before boarding.

These checks happen before travel, but they don’t replace border control. You’ll still need to go through the normal security and immigration check at the airport when you travel.

WHEN WILL THE EU ENTRY/EXIT SYSTEM START?

The EES was developed by eu-Lisa, the agency responsible for large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice in Europe.

EES started operations on 12th October 2025 and became fully operational on 10th April 2026 after a progressive rollout across the external borders of the 29 European countries using the system.

During the rollout, EES was introduced gradually over six months. Some biometric collection and registration was phased in by border crossing point.

ETIAS is expected to start in the 2026 . The EU says it will announce the exact start date several months before launch. We’ll update this post as more details are known.