Essential Guide to Europe’s EES: Prepare for April 10 Deadline
Filmogaz.com reports the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will move to full operation on 10 April 2026. Travelers should prepare for the April 10 deadline and the changes it brings.
The EES began a phased rollout on 12 October last year across 29 countries. Passport stamps will be replaced by digital records. Biometric data, including facial images and fingerprints, will be collected and stored.
Scope and key figures
The system covers short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It applies to non-EU and non-Schengen nationals, including UK and visa-exempt travellers.
The European Commission says more than 24,000 people have been denied entry since rollout began. Officials also flagged over 600 individuals identified as security risks.
Who is exempt
Ireland and Cyprus will not operate the EES and will keep manual passport checks. Several categories of people are also exempt.
- EU and Schengen citizens.
- Holders of long-term visas or residence permits.
- Family members with an EU residence card.
- Local Border Traffic Permit holders.
- International train and plane crew on duty.
- Armed forces personnel and families on NATO or Partnership for Peace missions.
- Nationals of Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City and Monaco.
- Possible exemptions for certain cruise day trips.
Biometric checks and data retention
Biometric passports are optional but speed up entry via self-service kiosks. Travelers with standard passports must register at staffed booths.
First-time registration requires a photo and fingerprints. That data will be retained for three years. Children under 12 provide a photo, but not fingerprints. Refusing biometric collection leads to denial of entry.
Airport delays and travel advice
Airport groups warn of longer queues in the initial months after full activation. ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E) said peak waits have reached about two hours at some airports.
Since 31 March, all third-country passengers must be entered into EES. Border authorities can no longer suspend registrations after 10 April. Travelers are advised to arrive 90 to 120 minutes earlier than usual.
Industry bodies are urging the European Commission to allow temporary suspensions of EES during peak summer periods. Officials expect processing times to improve as procedures settle.
Advance registration and the mobile app
There is no requirement to register before travel. The standard process happens at border control on arrival.
For faster checks, third-country travellers can use the Travel to Europe mobile app. The app allows pre-registration of passport details and a selfie up to 72 hours before arrival. It is currently available in some countries, such as Portugal and Sweden, with wider rollout planned.
The app is downloadable from Google Play and the Apple App Store. It requires an entry questionnaire and a selfie to confirm identity. It does not replace the mandatory border interview.
Practical steps to prepare
- Check whether your destination operates EES and any national apps.
- Carry a biometric passport to use self-service kiosks if possible.
- Allow extra time at airports during the first months after the April 10 deadline.
- Be ready to provide a photo and fingerprints on first registration.
- Use the Travel to Europe app where available to speed processing.
