EU Entry/Exit System (EES): Debunking 10 Common Myths
Tuesday, October 7th, 2025
Big changes are coming to border control procedures at Palma Airport and across Europe. After several delays, the European Union’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) will officially begin operation on Sunday, 12th October 2025.
The EES is a digital system designed to register the entry and exit of non-EU nationals travelling to and from the Schengen Area. It aims to improve security, reduce illegal overstays, and replace manual passport stamps with a faster, biometric-based process.
Unsurprisingly, with such a major change, a number of myths and misunderstandings have spread. Here, we separate fact from fiction and explain what travellers really need to know.
Myth 1: You will need to apply for a visa to enter the EU once the EES is in place.
Fact: The EES does not require non-EU travellers to apply for a visa.
The EES is a digital border management system that will automatically record entry and exit information for non-EU citizens. If you are from a visa-exempt country such as the UK, you can still visit the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.
However, from 2026, travellers from visa-exempt countries will also need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) before travelling. ETIAS is not a visa – it’s a quick and straightforward online authorisation that will be valid for three years (or until your passport expires).
Myth 2: The EES will track and store all personal information about travellers.
Fact: The EES will only store essential travel data.
The system will collect and store biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial scans), passport details, and entry/exit records. This helps verify traveller identities and monitor compliance with Schengen rules. The EES will not track your personal activities, travel routes within the EU, or any unrelated personal information.
Myth 3: The EES will make border crossings much slower and more complicated.
Fact: The EES is being phased in gradually and aims to speed up border checks in the long run.
There may be some initial delays as border officers and travellers adjust to the new technology, especially during the early weeks of operation. However, the system is being introduced in stages across Europe, which should help reduce disruption and allow border control authorities to adapt smoothly.
Once fully implemented, automated biometric systems will replace manual passport stamping, ultimately making border crossings faster, more accurate, and more secure.
Myth 4: You will need to buy special health or travel insurance to visit the EU once the EES begins.
Fact: The EES does not introduce any new insurance requirements.
The Entry/Exit System simply records travellers’ entry and exit data — it does not require visitors to purchase additional health or travel insurance. However, having travel insurance is still strongly recommended, as medical care in EU countries can be expensive without coverage.
UK residents can still use a valid GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) or an existing EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) for necessary state-provided healthcare during temporary visits to EU countries, though this is not a substitute for full travel insurance.
Some countries may already require proof of travel or health insurance when applying for a Schengen visa, but this rule applies only to travellers who need a visa, not to visa-exempt visitors such as those from the UK.
Myth 5: The EES is punishing UK citizens for Brexit.
Fact: The EES is not connected to Brexit and applies to all non-EU nationals.
The EES has been in development for many years as part of the EU’s wider plan to modernise its external borders. It applies equally to visitors from countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan – not just the UK.
While UK citizens are now treated as non-EU travellers, the EES was not designed in response to Brexit.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has introduced its own electronic border management system, known as the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which has been in effect since 2nd April 2025. Visitors from abroad, including EU nationals, are now required to obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK.
Myth 6: You will have to pay a new fee when crossing the border under the EES.
Fact: The EES itself does not involve any fees.
There are no extra charges to use the EES. However, once ETIAS launches in 2026, travellers will need to pay a small fee (around €20) to obtain authorisation. The ETIAS will then be valid for three years or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.
Myth 7: You can “reset” your 90-day stay by briefly leaving the Schengen Area.
Fact: This is not the case.
The EES will automatically record your entry and exit dates, ensuring strict enforcement of the 90 days in any 180-day period rule.
Leaving and re-entering the Schengen Area briefly will not restart your allowance. To help travellers keep track, the official EES website includes an online calculator that allows you to monitor how many days you have spent in the Schengen Area and how many remain before you must leave.
Myth 8: The EES is part of the EU’s visa system.
Fact: The EES is not a visa system.
The EES is a border management tool that records the entry and exit of non-EU visitors. It does not replace or modify the existing visa processes. ETIAS, which comes later, will also not be a visa but a pre-travel authorisation.
Myth 9: The EES will collect data forever.
Fact: Data storage is limited and strictly regulated.
Traveller data will only be retained for a defined period (typically three years for lawful travellers) and is protected under EU data protection law (GDPR). This ensures privacy and limits the use of personal information to border control and security purposes only.
Myth 10: The EES applies to everyone, including EU citizens.
Fact: The EES only applies to non-EU citizens.
If you are an EU citizen or hold a residence permit for a Schengen country, the EES does not apply to you. The system only affects travellers from outside the EU and Schengen Area who are visiting for short stays.
Key Takeaway Message
The Entry/Exit System marks a major step forward in the EU’s border management, replacing manual passport stamps with a modern, biometric-based approach.
While some minor delays can be expected during the early stages, the phased introduction from 12th October 2025 should help ensure a smooth transition. In the long term, the EES will make travel more secure, efficient, and transparent for everyone.
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Further Info
Sources and Further Reading
- European Commission – Entry/Exit System (EES):
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees - European Commission – ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System):
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias - UK Government – Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA):
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/electronic-travel-authorisation-eta - UK Government – Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC):
https://www.nhs.uk/ghic
