EES Across All EU Borders: 150 Million Entries and Exits Logged After Four Months

Operating fully across the external borders of the Schengen area since April 10, 2026, the Entry/Exit System has registered over 150 million border crossings in four months.

Four Months of Full Implementation

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is fully operational at all external border crossing points of the Schengen area as of April 10, 2026. Since its launch, the system has registered over 150 million entries and exits.

Exactly four months ago, on April 10, 2026, the Entry/Exit System (EES) became mandatory at all external borders of the Schengen area. Since that moment, more than 150 million entries and exits have been registered on the territory of EU countries and non-EU countries belonging to the Schengen area.

Enhancing Border Security and Law Enforcement

The EES system helps Border Guard officers and law enforcement authorities detect security threats and support the fight against serious crime and terrorism. It involves recording travel document data, biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images, and entry and exit data. Importantly, the EES applies to non-EU nationals.

Data is collected and processed in the EES system in order to protect EU borders.

Scope and Participating Countries

The Entry/Exit System enables the registration of non-EU nationals undertaking a short stay in the EU every time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries—including 25 European Union countries belonging to the Schengen area (excluding Cyprus and Ireland) and 4 countries associated with the Schengen area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

The EES was implemented gradually, starting on October 12, 2025, at the external borders of European countries using the system, and has been fully operational since April 10, 2026.

The EES system, which is fully automatic and digital, replaces passport stamping in most European countries.

Data Collected by the Entry/Exit System

Non-EU nationals undertaking a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) in European countries using the EES are registered in the Entry/Exit System, regardless of whether they require a short-stay visa or enjoy visa-free travel.

The introduction of the EES does not bring new requirements for individuals who can move freely across Europe. This means that the EES does not apply, among others, to citizens of European countries that use the EES, citizens of Cyprus and Ireland, or non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are direct relatives of an EU citizen.

The data collected in the EES includes travel document details, biometrics, and border crossing timestamps.