U.S. citizens have long faced minimal hurdles when traveling to Europe, but that’s starting to change with the rollout of new border protocols across the region. The EU Entry/Exit System is in full swing as of April 2026, and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System is expected to launch by the end of the year, after several previous delays. Unfortunately, this means you’ll no longer be able to simply hop on a flight and waltz into Italy, France or any other EU country without some added steps.
Yahoo checked in with Chardell Robinson, vice president of corporate account management at Cadence Travel , to find out everything U.S. travelers need to know about navigating these new systems.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System?
The EES is “an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals traveling for a short stay” in Europe and Schengen Area countries, according to the program’s official website . The new digital system replaces traditional passport stamping with biometric records, like facial imaging and fingerprints. It’s a precursor to the ETIAS (which we’ll discuss in more detail below) and aims at making European travel “more secure, efficient and transparent.”
In practice, this means that all visa-exempt travelers and short-stay visa holders are now required to provide biometric data upon entering Europe or the Schengen Area. Most U.S. citizens and residents fall into these categories. This data will then be used to record and track future visits to and from European countries, including non-EU Schengen countries like Norway and Iceland.
How does the EES affect U.S. travelers?
Here’s the good news: “There’s no extra pre-arrival paperwork” with the EES, says Robinson. “It’s just a shift in expectations about the arrival experience.” The first time you cross a European border under this new system, you will need to provide your biometrics, she says, which will take some extra time. So far, the registration process has been causing major delays and disruptions for travelers in certain countries, including Italy, France and Germany, according to a recent report from The Guardian .
Once you’re in the system, however, future crossings should actually be quicker than they’ve been in the past. “In the long run, it’ll be a much more streamlined process,” says Robinson, which is one of the program’s main objectives.
In favor of modernized biometrics, the EES also does away with traditional passport stamps, which Robinson says many of her clients “are actually quite disappointed about.“ Passports full of fun globetrotting stamps are quickly becoming a relic of the past.
To avoid any undue headaches and delays, Robinson recommends double-checking that your passport is valid for at least three months beyond your planned return-to-home date, a requirement for entering the Schengen Area . Until the ETIAS launches, there’s nothing else you need to do to prepare to enter Europe, other than mentally preparing for a longer wait at the border.
Does the EES apply to kids?
The short answer? Yes. The EES applies to all non-EU nationals who are not otherwise exempt. This includes children and travelers of all ages.
However, the system currently places fewer requirements on children below the age of 12. According to the official EES FAQs , children younger than 12 are not expected to scan their fingerprints, but they are still subject to the rest of the process. Based on current information , children of all ages will also be required to comply with the ETIAS once that program launches.
What’s the difference between EES and ETIAS?
The EES and ETIAS are related programs, but they are not the same, and it’s important to understand the differences.
“The easiest way to think about it is this: EES happens at the border, while ETIAS happens before you even pack your bags,” says Robinson. “You can think of ETIAS as getting on the VIP guest list before the party, and EES as the digital bouncer checking your ID at the door.”
The official ETIAS website explains that the program is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling for short stays in 30 European countries, including Italy, France, Spain and Greece. Once the program launches, you will apply online before heading to Europe. Requirements include valid passport details, security questions and a small fee for anyone between the ages of 18 and 70. If approved, your ETIAS record will be linked electronically to your passport and will be valid for three years or until your passport expires.
Robinson points out that the ETIAS is similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (commonly known as ESTA) that the U.S. operates for visa-exempt international visitors. “It’s not a visa, and it’s not meant to be a roadblock,” she says. Instead, it functions like a visa waiver for travelers who don’t need a visa for entry. “We expect that the ETIAS application will be a quick, online process that should just take a few minutes, for a nominal fee, with nearly instant approval confirmation,” says Robinson. “It’ll become just one more to-do on your pre-trip checklist.”
Keep in mind that while the EES is already in full effect, the ETIAS has yet to launch. “The official word is that the system will launch in Q4 of 2026, but it’s been pushed back before,” Robinson says. In the meantime, there’s nothing travelers need to do to prepare, aside from keeping all travel documents up-to-date and staying aware of the program’s status.
The U.K. has a new entry system too
If you’re planning to travel across the pond any time soon, the EES and ETIAS programs aren’t the only ones to be aware of. In January 2025, the U.K. introduced new entry requirements for visa-exempt travelers, similar to the ETIAS and ESTA. To legally travel to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you’ll need to apply for electronic travel authorization through U.K. Visas and Immigration. The online application process costs £20, and you should receive a decision within one to three days.
As travel requirements evolve across Europe and beyond, it’s smart to double-check entry rules well before you take off. These new systems hopefully won’t derail your plans, but staying informed will help you minimize complications at the border.
