Entering Europe: EES is live, ETIAS applications have not opened yet
When you plan a trip to Europe you will keep seeing two acronyms: EES and ETIAS. They sound alike, but one is already running at airports and the other is not yet accepting applications. Mixing them up can mean paying for something you don’t need, or being caught off guard at the border.
This guide is based on summaries by the UK travel association ABTA and the immigration law firm Fragomen, and on the official EU ETIAS website, checked on October 7, 2026.
EES: fingerprints and a face photo instead of a stamp
The Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces passport stamps when you enter and leave the Schengen area: your fingerprints and a face photo are registered by machine and your crossings are recorded electronically. According to the sources, it has been fully operational since April 10, 2026.
There is nothing to apply for in advance; registration happens at the airport or border. Children under 12 have only their face photo taken, without fingerprints. Queues can be long at first registration, so allow plenty of time for passport control.
ETIAS: online authorisation before you travel, not started yet
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an online authorisation that visa-exempt travellers will need before they depart. At the time we checked, applications were not open, and the EU’s stated target was a launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. The exact start date depends on an official announcement.
Once it starts there will be an application fee, with exemptions for travellers under 18 and over 70. An approval will be valid for three years and multiple entries, for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Watch out for fake ETIAS websites
More than 60 unofficial websites have been reported using the ETIAS name. Using them can cost you extra money or expose your personal data. The official address is travel-europe.europa.eu. Because the system has not started, any site taking ETIAS applications right now is not an official channel.
Five checks before you go
- Allow extra time for passport control
- Check your passport validity
- Apply for ETIAS only after the official launch is announced
- Use only the official site (travel-europe.europa.eu)
- Remember that children also have their face photo taken
Sources
- ABTA: upcoming changes to travel in Europe (Aug 17, 2026)
- Fragomen: ETIAS and EES status (Mar 17, 2026)
- Official EU ETIAS website
Checked on
This guide is Global TripX’s summary of the information published in the sources above. It is not a first-hand review, and rules and schedules can change, so check official guidance again before you travel.