EES and ETIAS explained for 90/180 travellers
Two EU systems are changing short trips to Europe. EES is already running and records every time you cross a Schengen border. ETIAS, a pre-travel authorisation, has not started yet. Neither changes the 90/180 rule itself.
Facts checked 28 September 2026. Entry rules change. Confirm them with the official source linked in each section before you travel.
EES: the Entry/Exit System
EES started on 12 October 2025 with a six-month phased roll-out. Since 10 April 2026 it has been fully operational at all external border crossings of the 29 countries that use it — the Schengen countries. Cyprus and Ireland do not use it; passports are still stamped there.
Who it applies to
Non-EU nationals on a short stay, whether they need a visa or not. Citizens of EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are not registered. Nor are holders of residence permits or long-stay visas, or nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino.
What it records
- The details in your passport or travel document.
- The date and place of each entry and exit.
- Your facial image and, if you do not need a visa, four fingerprints. Children under 12 are currently not fingerprinted.
- Any refusal of entry.
If you refuse to give your biometrics, you will be refused entry. Entry and exit records are kept for three years. If no exit is recorded, the file is kept for five years after your permitted stay ended.
What it changes for the 90/180 count
EES replaces passport stamps. It calculates how long you may still stay and lists overstayers automatically. The rule has not changed. What has changed is that a miscount is no longer something a border guard might miss while flicking through stamps.
Sources: EU: EES FAQ; EU: what is the EES; EU: data held by the EES; European Commission
The official day checker has a blind spot
The EU offers an online tool to check how long you can still stay. It is useful, with one big limit: the remaining stay it shows does not reflect any time in Schengen that began before 10 April 2026.
If you were in Europe in the months before that date, those days may still sit inside your 180-day window without appearing in the result. Keep your own record of every stay, and count the older ones yourself.
Sources: EU: check how long you can stay; Government of Canada
Keep a record that includes every stay
Stay180 counts every stay you add, including trips from before EES started, and shows your days used in the last 180 and the last day you can stay.
ETIAS: not running yet
ETIAS is a travel authorisation for people who do not need a visa, such as US, UK, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand citizens. It is not a visa, does not give a right to work or study, and does not guarantee entry.
As of 28 September 2026 it is not in operation and no applications are being collected. The EU says it will announce the start date several months before launch. Earlier EU statements pointed to the last quarter of 2026, but no date had been announced when we checked. Be wary of websites that offer to “apply” for you now.
| ETIAS | |
|---|---|
| Cost | €20; no fee under 18 or over 70 |
| Valid for | 3 years, or until your passport expires if sooner |
| Where | The 29 Schengen countries plus Cyprus |
| Stay allowed | Unchanged: up to 90 days in any 180 |
| After launch | At least six months' transition in which travellers without ETIAS are not refused, then a grace period |
A new passport means a new ETIAS. Time in Cyprus is counted separately from the other countries.
Sources: EU: what is ETIAS; EU: ETIAS timeline; European Commission: ETIAS fee
EES and ETIAS side by side
| EES | ETIAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Fully running since 10 April 2026 | Not running yet |
| What it is | A record of your border crossings | A pre-travel authorisation |
| When | At the border, every crossing | Online, before you travel |
| Cost | Free | €20 |
| Changes 90/180? | No — enforces it automatically | No |
Common questions
- Does EES change the 90/180 rule?
- No. The short-stay rule is the same: no more than 90 days in any 180-day period. EES changes how it is enforced. Every entry and exit is recorded digitally, and the system calculates your remaining stay and flags overstays.
- Do I need ETIAS to travel to Europe now?
- No. As of 28 September 2026 ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are being taken. The EU says it will announce the start date several months in advance, and there will then be a transition period.
- How much will ETIAS cost?
- €20 per application. Applicants under 18 or over 70 do not pay the fee but still need an ETIAS. It will be valid for three years or until the passport you applied with expires, whichever comes first.
- Can I check my remaining Schengen days online?
- Yes, the EU has an official tool. But it does not count any stay that began before 10 April 2026, so if you travelled before then, add those days yourself or keep your own record.