EES

 

The EES (Entry-Exit System) started in the Schengen Area on October 12, 2025.

On April 10, 2026 it became Mandatory at every Border Checkpoint (Airport, Land Border and Sea Border) in all 29 Countries of the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area includes: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark (not including Greenland or the Faroe Islands), Estonia, Finland, France (not including Overseas Territories), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands (not including the Caribbean Netherlands), Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Americans, Canadians, Brits, Australians and hundreds of other Non-Schengen Members have to use the EES to both enter the Schengen and to leave the Schengen.

There have been hours-long waits for Hundreds of Passengers at many European Airports and Border Checkpoints because of EES.

Airline Passengers who arrived at the Airport 3 hours before their flight missed their flight because of EES (they couldn’t arrive any earlier as the Airline Check-In Counters didn’t open earlier.

It’s not the Airlines fault, but The European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) and the Officials running the EES inside the 29 Member Country Schengen Area.

The System started in October 2025, but became Mandatory 4 days ago and yet the problems with the EES continue.

The EES needs to be fixed and fixed soon otherwise it will make the busy Summer Travel Season hard for thousands of People.

Note 1: You will no longer receive an Immigration Stamp in your Passport.

Note 2: Starting at the end of 2026 Americans and other Non-EU Citizens will also need to get Electronic Authorization to travel to the Schengen Area before they travel under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS.)