I’m going to Europe next month for the first time this year. A lot has changed in just a few months, so not only am I researching the new arrival rules, but I’m also doing it for my friends and readers who have been asking me for all the details.
For starters, there are two new mandatory electronic travel authorization systems travelers need to know about:
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)
This is a new pre-travel authorization that visitors from visa-exempt countries, including the United States, will eventually need before entering most countries in the Schengen Area. Think of it like Europe’s version of the U.S. ESTA system. Travelers will complete an online application before departure, pay a small fee, and receive approval electronically linked to their passport. ETIAS is expected to launch in late 2026, meaning it is not required yet for current travel.
EES (Entry/Exit System)
This system has already begun rolling out and is now active across Schengen border crossings, with full implementation reached in April 2026. Instead of traditional passport stamps, travelers are now registered digitally when entering and exiting participating countries. This includes biometric data such as a facial scan and fingerprints on first entry, which are then stored to track entries, exits, and how long visitors remain in the Schengen Zone. While there’s no advance application required, travelers should expect slightly longer processing times at border control, especially during busy travel periods as the system continues to stabilize.
What countries are in the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is made up of Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Since I haven’t traveled through EES yet, I’m relying on some friends and travel experts who have. I’ll update this post once I experience it firsthand.
Unfortunately, I’ve been hearing some horror stories, but I think it’s equivalent to what took place in the U.S. a couple of months ago when TSA lines were extremely long and making headlines around the country and world. When I traveled during those days, I didn’t experience the long lines, nor did my friends. The reason is that most of the issues were concentrated at a few airports — ahem, Atlanta (ATL), Houston (IAH), and New Orleans (MSY). At those airports, and some others, the worst delays seemed to happen during peak hours like early mornings or Sundays.
It sounds like it’s similar with EES. One of my colleagues said it’s not bad at all, especially in Germany. The same goes for my buddy, Zach Griff, who filmed this step-by-step arrival process at Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport (FCO).
Zach wrote in his helpful newsletter: “Here’s how to become an EES pro:
• Place your passport in the scanner with the information page facing down.
• Wait until the machine reads your passport. Once it’s done, remove it.
• Wait. Don’t push. Don’t call for help. Just wait until the person in the vestibule finishes.
• The gates will open, and it’ll be your turn to take a photo — and possibly provide fingerprints.
• You’re through.”
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Zach also said he got “lucky there was just one other international flight arriving around the same time (an Emirates A380). I can see this experience being much slower when many more North American red-eyes land in the morning. Personally, I’m just glad to have my passport registered so my next EU entry is a bit faster.”
So it sounds like Zach did indeed get lucky because his flight didn’t land during peak hours. The good news is that once travelers are registered in the system, future trips should be much easier and faster.
If you read the 300+ comments on this thread in Rick Steves’ Europe Facebook Group, it’s definitely a mixed bag. Experiences range from “2.5 hours in a stuffy area without restrooms in Milan” to “We literally didn’t speak to a human, got off the plane, walked through the gates to a machine, scanned our passports, did fingerprints on the machine, and were out the door on the bus. It was great.”
According to another poster, Italy and Portugal will reportedly suspend EES processing whenever lines exceed 45 minutes because of the delays it can cause. They also claimed Greece already did this. After fact-checking, it appears Greece did temporarily suspend EES biometric checks, but only for British travelers, according to Business Travel News Europe.
I also know Ryanair wants EES suspended during the busy summer season. The airline posted this message on Instagram: “Ryanair calls on these EU Governments to suspend the rollout of the EU’s passport control Entry/Exit System (EES) until September to ensure that passengers are not needlessly forced to suffer long passport control queue delays at European airports during the peak summer season.”
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If you’re traveling to Sweden or Portugal, it appears they are testing the “Travel to Europe” mobile app, which allows eligible travelers to submit passport details and a facial image before arrival in an effort to reduce time spent at border control. More on the app.
So overall, it seems like EES can either be a complete non-event or a total mess depending on the airport, time of day and how many international flights arrive at once. Personally, I’m not too worried about it yet, especially since most travelers seem to say the second time through is much easier once you’re registered in the system. I’ll definitely report back after my trip with firsthand details and hopefully some tips to help make the process smoother for everyone else.
