Travelling to Europe is entering a new era, and one of the biggest changes is happening right at the airport. It’s called the EES.
Canadians, Permanent Residents and all citizens with plans to travel to Europe aren’t sure what this all means. I hope this page not only educates you but makes you feel better about your future travel over the Atlantic.
WHAT IS THE EES?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new automated IT system launched October 12, 2025, and is fully now operational (as of April 10, 2026) to register non-EU nationals for short stays across Europe and some other neighbouring countries.
There’s no pre-registration required, everything happens at the border.
Traditional passport stamps are being phased out in favour of automated border control kiosks.
These kiosks are capturing your:
- Date & place of entry and exit
- Photo
- Eye scans
- Finger prints
- Passport (number)
- …and like a traditional process, they can ask you questions
While this shift is designed to improve security and streamline entry over time, the transition period has not been entirely smooth over there.
Many major European airports are currently experiencing significant delays. This new digital process coupled with high volumes of passengers, who have varying levels of familiarity with the technology, are creating bottlenecks.
If you are planning a European trip in the near future, a bit of strategy can go a long way in reducing stress and saving time.
I HAVE SOME TIPS!
First, consider the VIP arrival services at your arrival airport as this can be a worthwhile investment. These services often include expedited processing and assistance through immigration, helping you bypass long lines.
Second, seat selection matters more than ever. Choosing paying for a seat closer to the front of the aircraft which can help you disembark faster, giving you a head start at the kiosks before queues build.
Last, and this is probably the best tip I have for you – don’t booking tight connections! A layover of at least 3 hours is strongly recommended, especially if you are entering Europe through a busy hub. This buffer can make the difference between a smooth connection and a missed flight. And don’t be lured by those cheaper connection flight prices! It is NOT worth it!
It’s all still very confusing, right? Here are some more details and a map to help make sense.
The EES applies only to the Schengen Area countries. Not all countries in that group are in/apart of the European Union (EU).
- Schengen Area: A group of European countries that have abolished internal border checks and share a common external border system.
- Member Countries: include 25 EU member states and 4 non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland). As of January 1, 2025, Bulgaria and Romania are the newest members.
- Non-Member Countries: European countries not part of the Schengen area have their own border rules: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Ireland, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine. To learn more about travel rules for these countries, refer to Global Affairs Canada’s Travel Advisories by Destination
- Don’t forget these islands and regions:
- The Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands are also in the Schengen Area.
- The following states are not members of the Schengen Area but which have open or semi-open borders with the area and they are Andorra Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican City.
- Rules: The system has always been that Canadians could travel to the Schengen Area countries without a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If they left and returned to the Schengen Area within the same 180-day window, the previous stay counted towards the 90-day limit.This 90-day rule remains in effect. The new aspect is that the system will automatically detect overstays, which may lead to fines, deportation, or future entry bans. Some countries allow Canadians to stay beyond the 90-day limit under specific conditions.
- European Union (EU): A political and economic union, some EU countries are not in Schengen, and some non-EU countries are in Schengen. Again, refer to the map above for a visual of what it all means.
If you are an EU citizen or resident or a Canadian traveller with long-stay visas, these do not apply to you.
Okay – so that covers the EES but have you have been hearing about other, similar programs? Let’s talk about it.
WHAT IT IS NOT
THE EES is NOT the ETIAS
EES (Entry/Exit System) and the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) are two separate digital system for entering Europe.
As discussed above, the EES is currently in effect and is a biometric border-check for recording entry/exits, replacing passport stamps.
ETIAS (starts late 2026) is a pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors requiring online registration before travel. ETIAS is not a “visa visa.” It’s more like Europe’s version of Canada’s eTA. It is also like the online forms that we fill-out to visit Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and Mexico.
THE EES is ALSO NOT the UK’s ETA
In 2025 the United Kingdom (UK) implemented its own system, known as Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
Phew! That’s a lot!
Now that you know about the new processes….where are you going? Check out Booking.com & VRBO for rentals. here:
If you are booking your trip to Europe, make sure to visit Viator.ca for exciting things to do, visit GetYourGuide.com for guided tours and use WelcomePickups for your transfers!
If you need help booking your next trip to Europe, I’d love to work with you!
Let’s see up a 15min call here: calendly.com/theurbantraveler/15min
Jasmin Linton, Canadian Travel Advisor
TICO certified & proud Virtuoso member
Book a consultation: calendly.com/theurbantraveler/15min
Email: TheUrbanTraveler@gmail.com
Visit me on Instagram @Urban_Traveler
