New Regulations for traveling to Europe you MUST be aware of
If you are traveling to Europe starting in October 2025, then you should have heard of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
In today’s article, we’ll answer a few questions you might have about this: who does this apply to, how does this impact your travels, and more.
2025 Regulations for traveling to Europe, you MUST be aware of
What is the EES (Entry / Exit System)
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system that records each crossing of the EU’s external borders by non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay.
A non-EU national refers to a traveller who does not hold the nationality of any European Union country, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
‘Short stay’ refers to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. This period is counted collectively across all European countries using the EES.
Who does the EES apply to?
As the official EU website explains, the system applies to you if you are a non-EU national who either:
- need a short-stay visa to travel to the European countries using the EES
or
- do not need a visa to travel for a short stay in the European countries using the EES
Your entries and exits, or entry refusals, will be electronically registered in the EES.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes, you can check the complete exemptions here.
In short, the EES does not apply to you if you are not an EU national but hold a residence card or a residence permit. Also, if you have a residence permit and a long-stay visa.
Or if you are traveling as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes, or educational projects, or au-pairing.
What is the start date for the EES?
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) became operational on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES are introducing the system gradually at their external borders.
This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026.
EES vs ETIAS
ETIAS (
ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals travelling to any of these EU countries.
It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
A valid ETIAS travel authorisation allows you to enter these European countries multiple times for short stays, usually up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. Upon arrival, a border officer will check your passport and other documents to ensure you meet the entry requirements.
You can complete the application form through the official ETIAS website or the ETIAS mobile app. The ETIAS travel authorisation costs EUR 20, although certain travellers may be exempt from this fee. Exemptions apply to people under 18 or above 70 years of age, and family members of EU citizens.
ETIAS does not guarantee entry; border officers will still check passports and entry conditions upon arrival.
ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.
Until then, you can check the whole process here!
So, what is the difference between EES and ETIAS?
In a nutshell, ETIAS is an e-visa that screens you before you travel, while the EES records your movements at the border.
The EES replaces passport stamps for non-EU nationals and tracks their entry and exit from the EU. On the other hand, the ETIAS is a pre-travel authorization system for visa-exempt non-EU nationals.