EES or ETIAS: which is which?
The short answer
Your trip, in order
1 · Before you fly
ETIAS
An online approval
Not live yet
2 · At the border
EES
Fingerprints and a photo
Live now
1. What the EES does
The Entry/Exit System (EES) registers non-EU visitors on short stays when they cross into the Schengen area. You give your fingerprints and a facial image, and the record replaces the passport stamp. It has been fully operational across all Schengen countries since 10 April 2026, whether or not you need a visa.
- 1Scan your passport
- 2Give fingerprints and a photo
- 3Your entry is recorded, no stamp
There is nothing to apply for in advance, so your first crossing can take a little longer while you’re registered. Some countries may offer an optional app to pre-register up to 72 hours before you arrive. You still go through the border check.
2. What ETIAS will do
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be an online approval for visitors who don’t need a visa. You apply before you travel, a bit like the US ESTA.
Not live yet
3. Side by side
| EES | ETIAS | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | At the border | Online, before you travel |
| You do | Give fingerprints and a photo | Fill in an application, once it opens |
| Status | Live since 10 April 2026 | Not live yet |
| To do today | Nothing to apply for | Nothing. No applications are open |
Go deeper
That’s the click. The detail we left out (who is exempt, children, and the planned ETIAS rules) is in the longer guide: 01up, “What do Europe’s EES and ETIAS actually mean for travellers?”