The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is introducing the new European Entry/Exit System (EES) in phases. This will take place from 12 October 2025 at the Dutch external borders, such as at airports and seaports. The Netherlands is not alone in this; the system is being implemented in 29 European countries. The EES is a digital system that will eventually replace manual passport stamping. The implementation is taking place step-by-step. There will be a transition period until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the system is scheduled to be fully operational everywhere.
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is an automated system for registering travellers from outside the European Union (EU). It applies to individuals travelling to the Schengen Area for a short stay (a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period).
The system digitally records:
- Data from your travel document (such as name and date of birth).
- A facial image and fingerprints.
- The date and place of entry and exit.
For travellers with the nationality of an EU country, nothing will change.
What does this mean for your journey at the border?
The introduction of the EES in the Netherlands is gradual, meaning not all border posts will start at the same time. As a result, the procedure at the border may differ depending on the location. As long as not every border post is fully using the system, the Marechaussee will continue to stamp passports during the transition period (until 9 April 2026). From 10 April 2026, this will no longer be necessary. The current schedule for each Dutch border post can be found on the Government of the Netherlands website.
Privacy
Travellers' data will be collected and stored in full compliance with EU data protection rules and rights. Visit the EU website for more information on data protection and how to exercise your rights. Please see the Marechaussee's privacy statement for details on how personal data is processed for the EES.