The EES expected to go live in October 2025

The EES is a new digital border system for registering non-EU nationals for short stays. The EES will register the arrival and departure dates of non-EU nationals travelling for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. 

It will replace the current process of stamping passports with biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans. The EES will impact travellers who are not citizens of EU member states and UK citizens who will need to hold a valid ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) travel authorisation. 

Both visa holders and visa-exempt travellers will also be registered in the EES. 

The EU says the EES will have many benefits. Firstly, the experience for travellers will be improved as the EU’s external borders are modernised. It also says security will be improved as overstayers will be identified on more reliable data entries, and improved border checks with the use of electronic records and biometric data.

Which nationalities must be registered?

The system will apply to non-EU nationals who need a short-stay visa to travel to European countries using the EES and those who do not need a visa to travel for a short stay in the European countries using the EES.

Passports will only be stamped manually in Cyprus and Ireland, despite both countries being part of the European Union.

• The data listed on your travel documents such as your full name and date of birth
• The date and place of each entry and exit
• Your biometric data (facial image and fingerprints)
• Whether you have been refused entry previously

The ETIAS is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals who are travelling to 30 European countries. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires. With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, an individual can travel as much as they would like for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

However, it does not guarantee entry. Border guards will ask for passports and other documents to verify requirements are met at every country. This is similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) system in the USA which has been in place for many years.

When will ETIAS commence?

The ETIAS is set to begin operating in the last quarter of 2026. It is advised that users make sure they only apply through the official website, which is not yet live. We will confirm the start date for ETIAS closer to its time of launch.