The entry and exit system has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. Who is exempt?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at all external border crossing points within the Schengen area since 10 April 2026. Designed to modernise border management and enhance the EU’s security, the system has recorded more than 145 million entries and exits since its launch.  

The EES applies to non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen Area for a short stay and records data from their travel documents, biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) and data on their entry and exit. Nationals of EU countries, as well as those of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, are not recorded in the EES.  

Whilst the EES will record millions of travellers from outside the EU, certain categories are not recorded in the system. Border checks for travellers in these categories remain as usual: they must present their identity card or passport together with their long-stay visa or residence permit. Fingerprints and facial scans are not required. The exemptions are set out below:

1. Nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See. 
2. Nationals of non-EU countries holding a long-stay visa or a residence permit. Non-EU nationals holding a long-stay visa or residence permit (other than those mentioned in point 1 for family members), issued by an EEA country, are not registered in the EEA. Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas issued by Cyprus or Ireland are registered in the EEA.

3.  Non-EU nationals who are family members of an EU citizen or a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland (e.g. spouse, child, dependent parent) and who hold a residence card or residence permit are exempt from registration in the EEA, regardless of whether they are travelling with or without the family member. 

   Example: A Moroccan spouse married to a French citizen and holding a French residence card will not be registered in the EEA. 

   If a non-EU family member does not hold a residence card or residence permit, they will be registered in the EEA.  

   Example: A Canadian married to a Lithuanian national who does not hold a Lithuanian residence card will be registered in the EEE.

 

More information: European Commission