The digital European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) is now in place.
The EES is currently causing delays of up to 4-6 hours in some European airports. Travellers have missed flights as a result. Take delays into account when booking your travel.
- Allow extra time between connecting flights.
- Choose flexible flight options.
- Arrive well before your flight is due to leave.
Queues to access EES self-service kiosks are long. Be prepared to stand for an extended time. Take food and water if needed. If you have mobility or health concerns that limit how long you can stand, talk to airport support staff.
The process may be quicker if the country you’re in lets you give your initial data using an EES mobile app. But still be prepared for delays.
What is the Schengen area?
The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries with common border rules. It lets travellers move freely between Schengen countries without:
- going through border controls
- getting a visa for each country.
See a list of countries in the Schengen area.
What is the EES?
The EES is a digital identity record for non-EU nationals travelling into the Schengen area for a short stay. It’s designed to streamline the border process and increase border security.
The EES collects your personal data, including:
- data listed in your travel document, such as your full name and date of birth
- date and place of each entry and exit
- facial image and fingerprints (called ‘biometric data’)
- whether you have been refused entry before.
The EES will apply to the external borders of Schengen area countries. This means the borders between a non-Schengen country and a Schengen country. It doesn’t apply when you travel within the Schengen area.
You still get the usual visa-free days in the Schengen area.
Remember:
- Within 180 days, you get 90 days that are visa-free.
- Your 90 days start from your first day in the Schengen area.
- If you leave and return within the same 180-day period, your previous stay will count towards your 90-day maximum.
- If you use up your visa-free days, you must leave the Schengen area.
Use the short-stay calculator to see how many days you can stay.
What will you need to do?
When you enter or exit a border for the first time, you must provide your personal data. You’ll meet with a passport control official and have your photo taken and your fingerprints scanned.
This process will create your digital record. Once your record is created, officials will scan your fingerprints and/or take your photograph to check against your record each time you enter or exit.
Because countries are gradually deploying the system over time, you may also need to get your passport stamped.
If you refuse to give your personal data, officials can deny your entry to the Schengen area.
If you were in the Schengen area when the EES started, you will create your digital record when you leave. You can ask the border official to add your arrival dates to your record. You’ll need to show proof of when you arrived, such as a ticket or passport stamp.
If you have questions about how the EES will work where you’re going, contact the embassy or consulate of your destination.
What happens if you overstay?
If you overstay your visa period, the system will be able to identify this using your digital record. Your digital record is attached to you as a person, not your passport. That means, even if you use a different passport, the system will know if you’ve overstayed your visa period. This is done using your biometric details.
If you do overstay your visa, you may be:
- fined
- detained
- removed from the country
- prevented from returning to the Schengen area in the future.
Read more
- See our information about travelling in Europe.
- Read the travel advice for your destination for country-specific border rules.
See also
- Read the official information about the EES.