The EES is an IT system that records data on non-EU nationals who travel to Europe for a short stay (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). Every time they cross the external borders of the Schengen area, the system records their entry and exit. The EES replaces manual stamping of passports.
The Entry/Exit system (EES) is currently not in operation. It is due to start in 2025.
Currently, a non-EU national receives a stamp in his or her passport upon arrival in Europe. With the introduction of EES, this will be replaced by a passport scan, facial recognition and fingerprints. The system will further record the date and place of entry and exit. Refusals of entry are also recorded. The system will also retrieve visa information from the European Visa Information System. The EU wants to use the central system to better manage its external borders. An EES registration is valid for three years. If a non-EU citizen gets a new passport within that period, a new EES registration is required.
All non-EU nationals must register, regardless of age. It also does not matter whether a passenger travels as a VIP, Privium member or PRM. There are only a few exceptions where a non-EU national does not have to register. These can be found in the FAQ on the EU website. An exception applies, for example, to crew who have a crew member license or crew member certificate as stated in ICAO annex 9.
The EES complies with privacy legislation (the European GDPR). All information on this can be found on the website of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.