The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational on April 10, 2026, following a progressive rollout that began in mid-October 2025.

If you are a non-EU citizen (including travelers from the US, UK, and Canada) traveling to the Schengen Area for a short stay, this completely changes how you pass through border control.

The first time you cross a Schengen border under the full system, you will be directed to a self-service kiosk or border lane to scan your passport, take a facial image, and provide fingerprints.

Subsequent Visits: For future trips within a three-year window, your data remains in the system, meaning you will only need a quick facial scan or passport swipe to confirm your entry or exit.

Because every traveler must have their biometrics captured during their initial entry, major European hubs (including London-to-Europe transit points like the Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and major airports in France, Germany, and Spain) have acknowledged some initial processing bottlenecks. 

If you are flying into Europe during peak summer travel, it is highly recommended to build extra buffer time into your tight transit connections.