Germany Travel Guidance: Essentials about EES and ETIAS Clarified
The European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) and the Entry & Exit System (EES): What You Need to Know
The European Union is set to introduce two new systems aimed at enhancing border security and streamlining travel processes. The Entry & Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) are scheduled to be implemented in the coming years.
The Entry & Exit System (EES) is set to begin a phased rollout on October 12, 2025. During this initial phase, each country will choose which ports, airports, and stations to enforce EES, with a certain percentage of entry points required to use the system. Biometrics will become mandatory from December 2025 onward at operating frontier posts. The full EES rollout is expected to be completed by April 9, 2026, and it will be fully operational by April 10, 2026.
The EES is an enhanced biometric passport check that digitizes the enforcement of the 90-day rule, replacing manual passport stamping. Visa-holders are not required to complete EES pre-registration, with the exception of those who hold the short-stay Schengen visa. Schengen visa holders are not exempt from EES.
The European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) is expected to be implemented in the last quarter of 2026, approximately from October to December. Initially, ETIAS will be optional for the first six months after launch and will become fully compulsory by around October 2027 or later. During this transition period, travelers without ETIAS may still be allowed entry on their first visit.
To obtain ETIAS, travellers must go online in advance of their trip, fill in a form, and pay a €20 fee to receive the ETIAS travel authorization. ETIAS is aimed mostly at tourists and visitors. Once registered, individuals will not need to repeat the process until they get a new passport.
ETIAS is an online visa waiver required for tourists and other visitors into the EU/Schengen zone. It is important to note that ETIAS does not grant specific rights in the country where property is located. Any website offering to complete EES for a fee is a scam site. There is currently no fee for EES, while ETIAS has a cost.
The ETIAS website is not yet available, and it is expected to come online a couple of months before the start date (currently expected in late 2026). Non-EU citizens who are residents of an EU/Schengen zone country with a long-stay visa or a residency permit are not covered by EES and do not have to complete pre-registration or provide biometrics.
It is crucial to note that after spring 2027, individuals will be turned back at the border if they don't have an ETIAS. Completing EES pre-registration involves filling out a questionnaire with personal details, supplying fingerprints, and a facial scan.
In summary, the EES and ETIAS systems are designed to strengthen border control and simplify travel processes. The EES will be fully operational by April 2026, while ETIAS will become fully compulsory by around October 2027 or later. It is advisable for travellers to familiarize themselves with these systems and plan accordingly.
The European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) is aimed at simplifying the travel processes for tourists and visitors, requiring them to fill in an online form and pay a fee to obtain ETIAS.
Travelers scheduled to visit Europe from October to December 2026, who need ETIAS, will be able to obtain it online a couple of months prior to their trip.
