If you’re planning a trip to Europe, there are two big border changes worth knowing about. One is already here, and the other is still on the way.
Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being used to digitally record when many non-EU travelers enter and leave participating European countries. Meanwhile, ETIAS, the new pre-travel authorization that will eventually be required for many visa-free travelers, including Americans, has not launched yet.
Here’s what each system means for your next European trip.
Understanding Europe’s New Entry/Exit System (EES)
The first major shift is Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). It is already in effect and changes what happens when you arrive at the border.
The system began rolling out in October 2025 and became fully operational on April 10, 2026. Instead of a border officer stamping your passport, your entry and exit will be recorded digitally. The system is designed to keep track of when non-EU travelers enter and leave participating European countries and how long they stay.
The first time you travel through the system, you can expect a few extra steps:
- Photo and fingerprints: You’ll have your photo taken and fingerprints scanned. Depending on the airport or border crossing, this may happen at a kiosk or with a border officer.
- Passport scan: Your passport information will be recorded electronically and connected to your EES record.
- Your arrival will be logged: The system records when you enter and leave, making it easier to track whether travelers stay within Europe’s 90-days-in-any-180-day-period rule.
After your information is registered, future border crossings may be faster because the system already has your information on file.
You May Be Able to Start the Process on Your Phone
There is also a Travel to Europe mobile app that can make the EES process a little easier at participating borders.
The app lets eligible travelers complete some of the registration process on their phone up to 72 hours before traveling. What you can submit depends on where you’re going.
Right now, travelers entering Sweden can use the app to pre-register passport information, a facial image, and the entry questionnaire. Travelers entering Portugal can use it to complete the entry questionnaire ahead of time.
You’ll still need to go through passport control when you arrive, so this isn’t a way to skip the border check completely. But completing some of the information before you get there could save you time.
The app may eventually become available in more European countries as EES expands.
What to Expect from the Upcoming ETIAS Program
Europe is also preparing to launch the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a new travel authorization for visitors who currently do not need a visa to enter Europe.
For American travelers, think of it as a quick online pre-approval you’ll need before your trip. It’s similar to the ESTA authorization many international travelers need before visiting the United States.
ETIAS is expected to launch during the last quarter of 2026, but the European Union has not announced an exact start date yet. Applications are not currently open, and officials say the specific launch date will be announced several months before the system goes live.
Once ETIAS takes effect, travelers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and dozens of other visa-exempt countries will need to apply online before traveling to participating European countries.
The process is expected to be fairly simple:
- Apply online before your trip: You’ll enter basic personal and passport information and answer a few travel and security questions.
- Pay a small fee: Once approved, your ETIAS authorization can generally be used for multiple trips for up to three years, or until your passport expires.
- No paperwork to carry: Your approval is electronically linked to your passport, so there’s no separate document or visa to print.
The important thing to know is that ETIAS is not a visa. It’s simply an additional travel authorization that visa-free travelers will need before heading to Europe.
What This Means for Your Next Trip to Europe
If you’re traveling to Europe soon, EES is the change you need to be prepared for right now. Expect your passport to be scanned and, depending on your previous registration and border crossing, be prepared to provide biometric information such as a photo or fingerprints.
If you’re entering through a country that supports the Travel to Europe app, check whether you can submit some of your information before you arrive. It won’t let you skip passport control, but it could make the process a little easier.
As for ETIAS, there’s nothing you need to do yet. Applications are not currently open. Once Europe announces an official launch date, visa-exempt travelers—including Americans—will need to add ETIAS to their pre-trip checklist.
For now, the biggest takeaway is simple: Europe’s border process is becoming much more digital. Check the requirements for the specific countries you’re visiting before you leave, and expect the arrival process to look a little different than it did on your last European trip.
