EUROPE ENTRY & EXIT (EES - excludes Ireland) and ETIAS (TBD)
Details
EES Clarification
For U.S. citizens, the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace the manual passport stamping process at the external borders of most EU and Schengen Area countries. Instead of a stamp, your personal data from your passport, a facial image, and fingerprints will be collected electronically to track your entries and exits, helping to automate the monitoring of the 90/180-day travel rule. (No more passport stamps, you will have fingerprint and facial scan.) Expect longer wait times upon entry/exit for immigration as this rolls out in 2026.
How it works
- At the first border crossing: You will need to present yourself to a border officer to have your biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) collected, as well as have your passport scanned. This will create your initial digital record, which will be stored for three years.
- On subsequent visits: You can use self-service kiosks or automated gates, similar to those currently used at airports. The system will use your stored biometric data to verify your identity, and you will only need to be questioned briefly about your trip.
Data collected: The system will record your passport information, a facial image, fingerprints, and the date and time of each entry and exit.
Purpose: The EES will replace the need for manual passport stamps for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), which will help speed up border crossings in the long run.
What you need to know
ETIAS requirement: The EES works alongside the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is also a requirement for U.S. citizens traveling to the Schengen Area. ETIAS is scheduled to go into effect later in 2026, TBD.
Exempt countries: The EES will not apply to Ireland.