What is the European Entry-Exit-System (EES)?

The Entry-Exit-System (EES) is a European-wide IT system that will help EU countries manage the arrival and departure of third-country nationals.

The EES is part of the EU’s revised Smart Borders Package. It is expected to be operational from October 2025.

This article explains what the EES is and how it will be used, together with the new ETIAS travel authorization, to improve Schengen border management and security.

EES Registers the Entry and Exit of Non-EU Citizens

EES is the electronic infrastructure used to register third-country nationals, including Americans, when they cross an external Schengen Area border.

EES replaces manual passport stamps making Schengen border crossings faster and more efficient. The electronic system registers the following information:

1. Traveler’s details
2. Date and place of entry/exit

Based on this information, EES can identify travelers who have overstayed their visa or visa-free stay (with ETIAS from 2026).

Does the Entry/Exit System Apply to Americans?

The European Entry/Exit System applies to all short-stay visitors from non-EU countries.

The system checks that the non-EU national has not already used all the days in Europe permitted with their visa or visa exemption.

US citizens can visit the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days. The EES detects if an American national attempts to spend more than the permitted 90 days.

This will allow EU member states to prevent irregular migration and reduce security risks.

How Will the EES Work?

The system itself operates in two layers. The first is a Schengen-wide Central System with the second comprising a state-exclusive National Uniform Interface (NUI). Through the NUI, each member state will be responsible for securely updating information on the central database.

The EES also connects to the EU’s Visa Information Service (VIS) database which holds the electronic data of all EU visas and ETIAS that have been issued. These are joined by a Secure Communications Channel ensuring that EES does not allow visitors to enter with expired visas or visa waivers and to notify authorities of those who have overstayed.

What Information Does EES Register?

EES registers a traveler’s data each time they cross an EU external border.

The Entry/Exit System registers:

Only visa-exempt travelers. Other travelers have their fingerprints registered when applying for a visa.

The system also registers any refused entries.

Fundamental rights and data protection laws are respected. Data is only accessible to authorized officials.

What are the Goals of the Entry/Exit System?

The objectives of Europe`s new Entry/Exit System are to:

1. Provide travelers with exact information about how long they can stay in Europe.
2. Reduce border waiting times thanks to automated passport control.
3. Remove the need for time-consuming passport stamps.
4. Increase safety across the EU by supporting the identification of criminal activity.
5. Identify travelers overstaying their visas or visa waiver.
6. Prevent cases of document and identity fraud.

How the EES will improve border crossings for American visitors

As mentioned above, one of the advantages of the EES will be to reduce the time spent waiting at border crossings.

The border crossing procedure with EES is as follows:

1. Check whether the data is recorded in EES and, if not, upload it.
2. Go to the border control lane, the officer will already have received your information.
3. Passport officers may ask additional questions before granting or denying entry.

Automation helps speed up border processes and improve the passenger experience.

Which European Organization Manages EES?

The management of EES will be fully operated by eu-LISA. This is the EU’s IT agency and is also responsible for managing EURODAC, SIS, VIS, and other large-scale, pan-European informational databases.

Its main function is to ensure that all the shared data between EU countries and Schengen members remains fully secure and encrypted.

Other EU Border Management Systems

There are currently 3 other main information systems used at EU borders:

A fourth system will be added in 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). ETIAS will only apply to third-country nationals who do not need a visa to travel to Europe for short stays.

Using this system, US citizens and other visa-free travelers will register their details before traveling to the European Schengen Area. ETIAS will be mandatory to travel to Europe without a visa.