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ETIAS and EES in 2026

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Two EU systems change how your trips are checked. EES is already running everywhere. ETIAS is still coming, with no confirmed start date. Neither changes the 90/180 rule itself, which you can check with the Schengen calculator.

EES, the Entry/Exit System: live since April 10, 2026

  • Non-EU visitors on short stays register their passport details, a face photo and fingerprints the first time they cross an external Schengen border.
  • Every entry and exit is recorded digitally. Passport stamps are no longer used.
  • The system calculates your days and detects overstays automatically. Border officers no longer need to count stamps by hand.
  • The rollout started in October 2025 and became fully operational at all external borders on April 10, 2026.

What it means for you: the count is now exact and automatic. Small mistakes, like forgetting travel days, are no longer missed. It is worth tracking your own days so there are no surprises at the border. See what happens if you overstay.

ETIAS: no confirmed start date

  • ETIAS is an online travel authorisation for visa-free visitors, similar to the US ESTA. It will cover 30 European countries.
  • The planned fee is €20, and it will be valid for three years or until your passport expires.
  • The launch has been delayed many times. The last target, late 2026, has been dropped. The EU says it will announce the new date several months before ETIAS starts.

What it means for you: nothing to do yet. When ETIAS starts, you will need to apply before you travel, but the 90 days in any 180 limit stays the same. Country-specific notes are in our guides for US citizens and UK citizens.

Questions people ask

Is ETIAS required in 2026?

No. ETIAS has no confirmed start date. The EU will announce it several months before it begins.

Does EES change the 90/180 rule?

No. The limit is the same. EES records your entries and exits digitally and detects overstays automatically.

Do I still get a passport stamp?

No. Since the Entry/Exit System became fully operational on April 10, 2026, passports are no longer stamped for registered travellers.

How much will ETIAS cost?

The planned fee is €20, valid for three years or until your passport expires.

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