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The Entry/Exit System (EES) explained
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the automated border system for the Schengen Area’s external borders. This page explains it in plain language, attributed to the official EU and European Commission guidance; always confirm the current position on the official sites before you travel.
What the EES is
According to the official EU guidance (travel-europe.europa.eu/ees) and the European Commission, the EES is an automated system that registers non-EU travellers making short stays each time they cross an external Schengen border. It records biometric data — fingerprints and a facial image — along with the entry and exit.
What it replaces
The EU guidance explains that the EES replaces the manual stamping of passports with a digital record, and helps detect people who overstay the short-stay limit. It applies at the external borders of the Schengen Area.
When it applies
The EU guidance states that the EES has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. Because border procedures can change, always confirm the current position on the official EU and European Commission sites before you travel.
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Official sources