The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an essential tool used by the European Union to keep its borders safe, especially within the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have removed border controls between each other, allowing for easy travel within the area. The EES is designed to keep track of when non-EU citizens, or people from outside the European Union, enter and leave the Schengen Zone. This helps make sure that travellers do not stay longer than they are allowed.
The system works by collecting important biometric information, like photos of faces and fingerprints, to confirm each person’s identity. This makes it easier to prevent illegal immigration and stops people from staying longer than their visa allows. Instead of stamping passports manually, which can be slow and less secure, the EES uses modern technology to record when someone enters or leaves the area automatically. This not only makes the borders safer but also speeds up the travel process for visitors and border officers. As the Schengen Area continues to update its security practices, the EES plays a crucial role in keeping Europe’s borders safe and well-managed.
What is EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a tool used by the European Union to monitor the entry and exit of non-EU citizens travelling to and from the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area consists of European countries that allow free movement without border checks. The EES records details like the date and place of entry and exit for non-EU visitors, uses biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints to verify identities, and replaces manual passport stamping with automated processes. This helps improve security, prevent illegal immigration, and ensures that travellers do not overstay their permitted time.
List of European countries using the EES
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is used by the countries in the Schengen Area. Here is a list of the European countries using the EES:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland (Schengen associated country), Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein (Schengen associated country), Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway (Schengen associated country), Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (Schengen associated country)
These countries have agreed to remove internal border controls and are part of the Schengen Area, which means they participate in the EES to manage and monitor the entry and exit of non-EU citizens.
What are the benefits of the EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) offers several key benefits to enhance the management of the European Union’s external borders and improve the travel experience for both visitors and border authorities. Here are the main benefits of the EES:
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) updates how the EU handles its outer borders, making travel easier and better for everyone over time.
- It helps spot people who stay longer than allowed and gives accurate information about when people enter, leave, or are turned away from the EU.
- This system fights identity fraud by collecting biometric information, like fingerprints and facial images.
- Security in the EU will be better because of improved border checks, electronic records, and biometric data.
- The EES helps share information instantly, so border officials across the EU always have the most current and accurate details when they need them.
How will EES work?
When you arrive at a border for the first time since the Entry/Exit System (EES) started, you’ll need to give your details. This means passport control officers will scan your fingerprints or take a photo of your face, and this information will be saved digitally. Your passport won’t get stamped.
To make things faster, you can provide some details ahead of time using:
- A self-service machine, if there is one at the border.
- A mobile app, if the country offers it.
Even with these tools, you’ll still meet a passport control officer.
If you’ve used the EES before, your fingerprints and photo are already in the system. Officers will check your details, which is quicker. Sometimes, they might need to update your information.
If you have a biometric passport, you might get through faster with a self-service machine. If your digital file is transparent, you might not need to see an officer at all.
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To whom does the EES not apply?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) does not apply to:
- Citizens of EU countries using the EES, Cyprus, and Ireland.
- Non-EU nationals with a residence card who are closely related to an EU citizen.
- Non-EU nationals with a residence card or permit who are closely related to a non-EU national with EU-like travel rights.
- Non-EU nationals visiting Europe for jobs, research, studies, training, volunteering, school exchanges, or as au pairs.
- People with long-stay visas or residence permits.
- Citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and holders of Vatican City passports.
- Individuals who are exempt from border checks or have special privileges, like heads of state or cross-border workers.
- Those who cross borders outside fixed checkpoints and hours.
- Holders of local border traffic permits.
- Crew members of international trains.
- Travellers with certain documents stay on the train and do not leave the EU.
These groups follow different rules for crossing borders.
FAQs about EES
what does the EES do?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is essential for non-EU visitors coming to European countries who are using this system for a short stay. It applies if you:
- Have a short-stay visa.
- You don’t need a visa, but you plan to stay up to 90 days within any 180 days.
When you arrive, your travel details will be recorded electronically, which helps make crossing the border easier.
If you stay beyond the allowed 90 days, the system will record this. It will also note if you are denied entry.
The 90-day limit is tracked across all the EES-using European countries together.
What is the purpose of the EES?
The EES aims to make border management smoother, more secure, and more efficient while ensuring compliance with visa rules and entry regulations.
Why is biometric data stored in the EES?
Biometrics are a reliable way to:
- Identify people accurately, which helps reduce mistakes and unfair treatment.
- Find people who are in the Schengen Area without proper documents.
- Check and match entry and exit information for real travellers.
Using biometrics with the EES makes European countries safer by:
- Helping to stop child trafficking and missing children.
- Reducing the risk of wrongly arresting people.
- Helping to fight serious crimes and terrorism.
Even though biometrics might raise privacy concerns, the EES uses technology to ensure people’s rights are protected.
What kind of passport do you need to use the self-service system?
It would help if you had a biometric passport to use self-service systems. This type of passport has a chip that stores your biometric information, which is collected when you apply for the visa.
If you don’t have a biometric passport, you won’t be able to use these self-service systems.
