EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) Fully Implemented; ETIAS Expected Late 2026

The European Union has fully implemented the Entry/Exit System (EES) as of April 10, 2026. The system requires travelers from non-EU and non-Schengen countries (including Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland) to register their faces and fingerprints upon first entry. Subsequent entries can utilize self-service gates. Key changes include the discontinuation of physical passport stamps, with data stored electronically, and the ability for border offices to temporarily disable self-service gates during peak congestion. Full processing via EES is mandated starting September 2026. Additionally, the ETIAS travel authorization program is anticipated to launch in late 2026, requiring a 20-euro fee for visa-exempt travelers