EES Full Operation:

The Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU citizens traveling for short-term stays (up to 90 days) was initially launched on October 12, 2025. It will enter into full operation across all EU member states on April 10, 2026, registering both alphanumeric and biometric data.

 

Readiness and Challenges:

While the Czech Republic has been fully implementing complete registrations since October 2025, several member states have indicated they are not yet fully prepared, meaning a complete shift away from passport stamping may be delayed there. Additionally, aviation associations (such as ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe) warn of prolonged waiting times at airports.

 

Information Campaign: 

The European Commission will launch the second wave of its EES information campaign on April 7, 2026. Travel agencies and tour operators are urged to assist in informing passengers using the provided multilingual materials (infographics, leaflets, videos).

 

Official EES website: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees

 

ETIAS Update:

The deployment of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is ongoing and is currently expected to launch in November 2026. An EU-wide information campaign for ETIAS will begin in late summer 2026.