Europe updates entry rules from April 10: what is the EES and what travelers can expect at the border

Starting April 10, 2026, the Entry/Exit System (EES) — a new digital system for tracking arrivals and departures — will be fully operational across 29 Schengen Area countries. It replaces traditional passport stamps with biometric registration, including fingerprints and facial scans. Travelers from non-EU nations (including Russia, the US, the UK, and others) will undergo this procedure for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

This represents the most significant change to European borders in recent years. The objective is to automate border controls, more accurately monitor lengths of stay, and reduce document fraud.

What has happened

The European Commission has officially confirmed that the EES will become fully mandatory at all external Schengen borders starting April 10, 2026. While the system began a phased rollout on October 12, 2025, not all checkpoints or data were being fully integrated until now. Physical passport stamps are now being phased out entirely in favor of a digital record.

Upon their first entry, non-EU citizens will provide the following information:

• fingerprints (typically four fingers from each hand);
• a facial photograph;
• passport details.

On subsequent trips, the system will simply verify biometrics against the existing record, which is expected to streamline the process in the future.

What this means for travelers

Border queues may increase during the initial weeks and throughout the summer season. Major airports such as Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Madrid are already warning of potential delays. Instead of a quick stamp, travelers will now need to visit a dedicated counter or self-service kiosk.

The benefits: the system automatically tracks duration of stay, reducing the risk of accidentally exceeding the 90-day limit. Additionally, biometrics help combat forged passports and repeat immigration violations.

The drawbacks: the initial registration will take longer, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to 15 minutes depending on volume. During peak periods, such as the summer of 2026, some countries may temporarily suspend certain EES elements to prevent border gridlock.

Key facts

• Who is affected: Non-EU citizens entering the Schengen Area for short stays (tourism, business, or transit). EU and Schengen citizens, as well as holders of residence permits or long-stay visas, are exempt.
• Exceptions: Ireland and Cyprus are not participating in the EES.
• Data retention: Biometrics are stored for up to five years or until the record expires.
• Pre-registration: Not required. Everything occurs at the border. Some airports are already testing self-service kiosks and the "Travel to Europe" mobile app.
• Stamps: These will no longer be used as of April 10.

All data has been confirmed by the official European Commission website and statements as of March 30, 2026.

For Schengen residence permit holders

1. You should not be registered in the EES.
This means that when crossing a Schengen external border, no EES entry/exit record should be created for you, as these are intended for short-term tourists. Consequently, the EES should not track your stay as it would for a standard 90/180-day visitor.

2. Biometrics specifically for the EES are generally not required.
Facial images and fingerprints under the new system are collected from those on a short stay: traveling on either a short-stay visa or visa-free for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. Holders of residence permits or long-stay visas are excluded from this requirement.

3. Residency rights in the issuing country remain unchanged.
The official 90/180-day calculator explicitly states: if you hold an EU residence permit or long-stay visa, the 90/180-day rule does not apply to your residence under that document.

4. Short-term travel to other Schengen countries is generally permitted for up to 90 days in 180 days.
If your residence permit was issued by a Schengen state, you can typically visit another Schengen country for a short stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, provided standard travel conditions are met. This is considered a short trip rather than "residing" in that second country under your permit.

5. Document checks remain in place.
The EES does not eliminate border control itself. In practice, you will still need a valid passport plus a valid residence permit or card. Furthermore, if internal border controls are temporarily introduced within the Schengen Area, it is also advisable to keep your documents with you.