The European Entry/Exit System (EES) is the digital system that registers non-EU citizens at the border. This system replaces manual passport stamping with a digital record of every entry and exit.
How does it work?
When you arrive at the border, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee processes your data digitally. The first time you travel, the Marechaussee takes a photo of your face and scans your fingerprints. This data is securely linked to your passport details in a digital file. Because your journey is now recorded digitally, you will no longer receive a stamp in your passport.
You must always go through passport control with the Marechaussee, but the process can be faster if you use a self-service kiosk. If you enter your details and scan your photo or fingerprints there beforehand, the Marechaussee does not need to do this manually. Have you travelled with the EES before? Then your details are already in the system, and the check is usually completed more quickly.
Who does it apply to?
The EES is for travellers from outside the European Union who come to Europe for a short stay. "Short stay" means a stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. To calculate this period, all your stays in the 29 European countries using the EES are added together.
Which countries use the EES?
The following 29 European countries use the EES: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
In Cyprus and Ireland, the EES is not used; there, checks continue with a manual passport stamp.
Who is exempt from the EES?
Not every traveller is registered in the EES. The following groups are exempt:
- EU citizens: If you have the nationality of an EU country, nothing changes for you at the border.
- Long-term stay: Travellers with a residence permit or a long-stay visa are not covered by the EES.
- Specific countries: As Cyprus and Ireland do not use the system, you will still receive a manual stamp there.
Privacy
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee collects and stores travellers' data securely. This is done in accordance with the strict privacy rules of the European Union. Would you like to know more about these rules and your rights? Please visit the EU website. The privacy statement of the Marechaussee explains exactly how we use your data for the EES.