If you are headed to Europe or the UK this summer, you would note that their border control procedures are becoming increasingly automated. It is best to make yourself familiar with Entry / Exit System (EES) if you are traveling to European Union countries, and with Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if you are going to UK. Both EES for travel to EU and ETA for travel to UK have become functional since early 2026.
There is also ETIAS that stands for European Travel Information and Authorisation System. This will be functional towards the end of 2026 and is different from EES and ETA. Dive into this ready reckoner to understand these Smart Borders Programs.
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Headed to Europe? Understand EES
What is EES?
The Entry / Exit System (EES) is an automated central digital system used by European Union (EU) to register travelers from non-EU countries. It is aimed at making European Union border controls smarter and more digital. Fully operational since April 10, 2026, it permanently replaces traditional manual passport stamping.
Who does the EES apply to?
The EES applies to you if you are a non-EU national travelling for a short stay to a European country using the EES and you either:
- possess a short-stay visa; or
- do not need a visa to stay for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. This includes travelers from the US and UK.
It does not apply to EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, individuals holding long-stay visas, or residents of Schengen countries.
How does the EES work?
Digital Registration: Instead of getting a stamp on your passport, the system records your name, travel document details, date, and place of entry and exit. Your passport (biometric or non-biometric) will not be stamped.
Biometric Data: When arriving at the border for the first time, visitors must provide a facial image (via a quick photo) and fingerprints. For future trips, these are simply verified. Travelers with a biometric passport scan their data themselves at a self-service system. A machine-readable biometric identity document is a prerequisite.
Self-Service Kiosks: Many airports provide self-service kiosks and automated border control gates for biometric passport holders, streamlining the process. These self-service systems capture biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) together with the traveler’s name, passport details and their place of entry into and exit from the Schengen Area. You will meet a passport control officer thereafter.
Do note that children under the age of 12 cannot complete their EES registration at self-service kiosks. Families traveling with children under 12 are directed straight to staffed border control counters.
How does EES ease border crossings for non-EU nationals?
Automation means that, non-EU nationals are able to benefit from a Self-service system. If available at the border crossing, the self-service system allows you to:
- register when crossing the border
- check if your data is still recorded in the EES and, if no data is present
- upload them for subsequent verification by a passport control officer.
After using the self-service system, you can go to a border control lane, where the passport control officer will have already received:
- information from the self-service system (including checks against other databases)
- confirmation of your identity
- the remaining duration of your stay
The passport control officer can then ask further questions before deciding to grant or refuse you access to the respective territory. The automated border processes, before reaching the passport control officer, will help to gradually reduce queues. Automation replaces time-consuming manual checks.
Current reality is that the system is new, not all airports have self-service kiosks, and at many busy airports, the wait-time for non-EU nationals has increased to clear immigration. So, do keep an extra buffer while transit, landing, or boarding for flights in Europe.
What is the purpose of EES?
With the EU Smart Borders program, border control procedures are becoming increasingly automated. Your data is collected and processed in the EES to:
- reinforce the efficiency of external border management
- prevent irregular immigration
- facilitate the management of migration flows
- identify travellers who have no right to enter or who have exceeded their permitted stay
- identify travellers who are using fake identities or passports
- help prevent, detect and investigate terrorist offences and other serious crimes.
FAQs on EES
What is the process if you arrive at a border crossing point for the first time since the EES started?
If you have a biometric passport, head first to a self-service kiosk. These self-service systems capture biometric data (facial images and fingerprints) together with the traveler’s name, passport details and their place of entry into and exit from the Schengen Area.
After using the self-service system, you can go to a border control lane, where the passport control officer will have already received information from the self-service system.
Travelers without a biometric passport must proceed directly to a border control counter.
What is the process if you have crossed the borders of the European countries using the EES more than once since the EES started?
The photo of your face and/or your fingerprints will already be recorded in the EES. The passport control officers will only verify your fingerprints and photo, which will take less time. In rare cases, it may be necessary to collect and record your data again.
If you hold a biometric passport, you will be able to enter more quickly using the self-service system (if available at that border crossing point). If your digital file is clear of any impediments to travel, you will usually not need to go via a passport control officer.
Which data is collected by EES?
The EES collects, records and stores:
– data listed in your travel document (e.g. full name, date of birth, etc.)
– date and place of each entry and exit
– facial image and fingerprints (called ‘biometric data’)
– whether you were refused entry.
If you hold a short-stay visa to enter the Schengen area, your fingerprints will already be stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) and will not be stored again in the EES. In this case, the system will store only your facial image.
If there is no need for a visa, the system will store 4 of your fingerprints and your facial image.
What happens if you refuse to have your fingerprints scanned or a photo of your face taken?
If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the territory of the European countries using the EES.
How do you check the duration of your authorised stay in the European countries using the EES?
You have the right to receive information from passport control officers on the maximum remaining duration of your authorised stay. You can also consult the online tool or via the equipment installed at some border crossing points.
If you stay longer than permitted, you will be identified as an ‘overstayer’ and your data will automatically be added to a list.
Which European countries are using the EES?
The following European countries are already using the EES:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Important: There is no EES in Cyprus and Ireland as yet. Travelers’ passports are still being manually stamped.
Do I need a biometric passport to cross the borders of European countries using EES?
No. In principle, both biometric and non-biometric passports will be accepted when crossing the borders, if valid and all the other entry conditions are fulfilled.
You only need biometric passport if you want to use automated ways to cross the borders (“self-service systems”), which are available at certain border crossing points.
EU countries generally accept most travel documents, including non-biometric passports.
How is your data in the EES protected?
The data stored in the EES is protected against abuse and access to it is restricted to specific staff within national authorities.
Your data cannot be transferred to third parties - whether public or private entities (except in certain special cases).
Headed to the UK? Understand ETA
What is ETA?
A UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a digital entry requirement for visitors who do not need a visa to entry UK for short stays, tourism, business, or transit. An ETA is a digital permission to travel and is electronically linked to your passport.
Who needs the ETA?
Travelers from 85 eligible countries (including the US, EU, Canada, and Australia) who do not already need a visa for short trips, tourism, business, or transit via UK need the ETA. Transit information: If you are transiting through a UK airport but do not go through UK passport control, an ETA is not required.
British and Irish citizens, or those who already have a valid UK visa or immigration status don’t need an ETA.
What is the validity of an ETA?
An ETA currently costs £20 and permits multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to 6 months at a time over two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.
How to apply for an ETA?
It is recommended that people apply for an ETA 3 working days in advance of travel, this is to take account of the small number of cases which may need further review.
Prepare your documents: You will need your current, valid passport and an active email address.
Submit via App: The easiest way to apply is to download and use the official UK ETA app on your mobile phone to scan your passport and take a photo of your face.
Pay the fee: The cost is £20, which can be paid via credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
Processing time: Most applicants receive a digital decision within minutes, though some can take up to 3 days if further review is required.
Finally, understand ETIAS
In addition to the Entry/Exit System (EES), ETIAS will also soon be established. ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. From the end of 2026, visa-exempt non-EU nationals (e.g. from the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan) must apply for an ETIAS authorisation – a new electronic travel authorisation – before entering the European Schengen Area.
Currently, travelers do not need to take any action. Details will be published closer to the start date.
Are the EES and ETIAS the same?
No. ETIAS is similar to the US ESTA and enables Europe to have more efficient control over who travels to the EU and applies for entry. It is a visa-waiver system for Europe that allows eligible citizens to obtain the appropriate travel authorisation for Europe by filling out a simple online form. ETIAS will become operational in the last quarter of 2026.
Conclusion
With summer plans to Europe, you may have to pay higher flight fares due to ongoing jet fuel shortage, plus pay for higher short-term rentals in certain European cities. But in any case, be ready for EES to cross the borders to European Union. Make sure you keep an extra margin with connecting flights / other forms of transport (to clear immigration when you land in Europe).
If you are headed to UK, make sure you apply for ETA for short stays, tourism etc (if you don’t need a visa to enter UK).
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