EES Entry and Exit Process
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Details
Europe's Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital biometric system that records the entry and exit of travelers using non-EU passports. If you are visiting a participating European country for a short stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, you will go through EES border processing.
What to Expect on Your First Entry
Before proceeding through immigration, you will complete a one-time biometric registration. This typically includes:
- Scanning your passport
- Having your photo taken
- Providing four fingerprints
- Answering basic questions about your trip, such as the purpose of your visit or your planned departure date
Your registration is valid for three years. On later trips, the system should verify your stored biometric information rather than requiring you to complete the entire registration again.
Important: At many airports, you must register at an EES kiosk before joining the immigration or eGate line. If you go directly to immigration without registering, you may be redirected to the registration area. After registering, proceed to the eGate immigration line for non-EU passports.
You will follow a similar biometric process when departing Europe.
Countries Using EES
EES is used in:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
How Much Time Should You Allow?
The registration itself may take only a few minutes, but total wait times can be much longer depending on the airport and travel date. Allow extra time when arriving in or departing from Europe, especially during:
- Peak arrival and departure periods
- Busy international flight banks
- Holidays
- Summer and other peak travel seasons
- Periods when many passengers need first-time registration
Connecting Through Europe
Whether you complete EES during a connection depends on your routing.
If your connection requires you to enter the Schengen Area - for example, flying from the United States to Amsterdam and then continuing to Italy - you will complete EES at your first point of entry into the Schengen Area.
If you remain in an international transit area and do not pass through immigration, EES registration is generally not required. Requirements vary by airport and itinerary, so allow additional connection time, particularly during the rollout period.
Tips for Arrival
- Remember the two-step process: register at a kiosk first, then join the eGate immigration line.
- If available for your arrival country, pre-register using the Travel to Europe app. This option is available for Sweden and Portugal.
- Avoid peak arrival windows when possible. Many transatlantic flights arrive mid-morning.
- Remove your passport from its cover or case before scanning it.
- Children under 12 and passengers with reduced mobility can skip biometric registration; follow local airport instructions, as procedures may vary.
Tips for Departure
- Place your passport on the scanner with the information page facing down.
- Wait until the machine has finished reading your passport before removing it.
- Do not push the gate. If another traveler is ahead of you, wait until they have cleared it.
- When the gate opens, step forward to the camera. Your photo will be taken, and fingerprints may also be collected.
Note: EES and ETIAS Are Different
EES is the biometric border entry and exit system. ETIAS is a separate pre-travel authorization that is expected to launch in 2027 for visa-exempt travelers, including Americans.