For Europe-bound travelers, it’s important to know the latest updates on travel requirements and security measures to ensure your trip goes as smoothly as possible. And with the EES and ETIAS constantly being delayed, it’s hard to keep track of what is what and how both will directly impact you or your trip.
The European Union is implementing EES and ETIAS as new border management initiatives to strengthen security for the countries and travelers involved. EES and ETIAS are not the same thing.
What is ETIAS?
ETIAS is an entry requirement for non-EU nationals visiting 30 European countries for a short-term stay. Travelers must have their ETIAS (which stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System) prior to their trip departure. To clarify, ETIAS is not a visa. Think of it like our version of the ESTA that’s needed for European travelers visiting the U.S.
Travelers will need to apply for ETIAS, requiring the submission of their passport details, occupation, address, and more. It will not require biometric data like EES.
🌎 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
🗓️ ETIAS is expected to launch in the last quarter of 2026
What is EES?
Meanwhile, EES stands for Entry/Exit Systems. This automated IT system will be used to electronically register non EU-nationals on short stays coming in and out of participating European countries.
EES intends to modernize the EU’s border management, while more easily recognizing any travelers overstaying their allotted 90 days within a 180-day period. The system will replace passport stamps.
EES will be used to gather travelers’ faces, fingerprints, travel document data and their entry/exits into territories.
🌎 Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
🗓️ EES is expected to launch in October 2025.
Why do they matter?
Both of these security initiatives matter because both are important for entering and exiting European countries in the near future. ETIAS is something travelers will need to apply for well ahead of their departure. Whereas, EES registration happens at the external border of participating countries.
Moreover, the timing of the two systems are reliant on one another. EES and ETIAS will not be launched at the same time. EES will come first, followed by ETIAS a few months later. No exact dates are set, only preliminary ones.
You can learn more on the European Union website.