TL;DR: The EES is simply the EU/Schengen Zone’s new secure border system where all non-EU nationals visiting the EU will have their biometric information (fingerprints and facial details) scanned and verified at passport control. It requires no advance preparation or fee for travelers. Don’t confuse it with the ETIAS, which doesn’t come into effect until fall 2026.
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, British, and other non-EU national visitors to France (and other EU countries listed below) will be subject to the Entry/Exit System (EES) starting October 12, 2025. The EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals visiting for a short trip, each time they cross the external borders of any European countries using the system. This will replace old passport stamps with a digital log of when you enter and leave the Schengen Area, speeding up border checks and making the process smoother. With self-service kiosks and the option to give information ahead of time, it should mean less waiting around when you travel. It also helps authorities spot overstays or fake identities using fingerprint and face data, while giving border officers better tools to keep the region secure.
‘Short stay’ means up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all EES countries
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
Exemptions include EU/Schengen citizens, Irish and Cypriot nationals, and anyone holding a long-stay visa or residency permit.
Visit the official European Union website for the full list of exemptions: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr/to-whom-does-ees-not-apply
How will this affect travelers subject to the EES?
It just means that first time you arrive in France (or any EES country), passport control officers will scan your fingerprints or take a photo of your face. This information is stored digitally, so on later trips they only need to verify what’s already in the system. If you have a biometric passport, you can often use self-service kiosks for quicker entry.This system is already used by countries such as the US.
Do I need to do something to prepare?
No, everything is done at passport control.
What does the EES cost?
Nothing. The EES has no fee for travelers.
Is this the new program where I have to register and pay in advance?
No, that’s ETIAS, which won’t start until fall 2026 (see below).
Where can I find more info?
Beware of all the fake sites spreading misinformation (or worse, “selling” EES visas). This is the official European Union website: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees
What is the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS)?
Starting in late 2026, Americans, Canadians, Australians, British and other visa-exempt travelers will need to apply online for an ETIAS travel authorization before coming to most European countries, including France. It costs €20, is valid for up to three years (or until your passport expires), and allows short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. ETIAS is linked to your passport and doesn’t replace border checks; you’ll still have to show your passport and meet entry conditions when you arrive.
At the moment it’s not possible to apply for ETIAS (I will update this article and announce it in the newsletter as soon as applications open). Don’t fall for any website claiming to obtain the ETIAS for you before it’s available on the official European Union website here: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias
ESTA: The US Equivalent
While many Americans were “appalled” when ETIAS was announced two years ago, many did not realize that Europeans and other non-US nationals visiting the US have needed an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) since 2009. ESTA lets citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they apply online beforehand. It costs $21, is valid for two years (or until the passport expires), is tied to the passport, and—like ETIAS—final entry is always decided by a border officer.