You’re likely familiar with the European Union’s upcoming program for visa-free countries: the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

The EU originally planned to roll out ETIAS in 2025; however, the target date is now Q4 2026.

However, another new EU entry program launched on October 12, 2025: the European Entry/Exit System (EES).

Similar to the ETIAS, the EES is a digital registration system specifically for citizens of visa-exempt countries at the point of entry and exit from the EU Schengen Area.

Both the ETIAS and EES apply to approximately 60 visa-waiver countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Japan, and Singapore.

The EES program will collect biometrics from these nations’ passport holders at their first point of entry to the Schengen Zone for a short stay (up to 90 days overall within a 180-day period).

As of March 15, 2025, 29 nations are now part of the Schengen Agreement:

• E.U. member countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
• Non-E.U. member countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
• Note: The E.U. countries of Cyprus and Ireland are NOT part of the Schengen Zone at this time.

If you’re in a Trusted Traveler Program such as NEXUS for North America or Global Entry for the USA, you’re already (very) familiar with this process.

Being that the EES is newly implemented, it’s going to take some time for full implementation across international airports, train stations, and land borders. Currently, that’s April 2026.

So, the first and second rule of travel logistics apply:

Rule 1: Allow more time for everything. Because everything will take more time.
Rule 2: Practice patience and kindness. Because: Rule 1. Especially with the busy holiday travel season approaching.

Reader, here’s to going with the flow. In travel and in life.

Until next time,

Travel on, sparkle on, meaningfully✨

Marilee + Paul Kostadimas
Spotlight Sojourns | Slow Travel
​with the Hidden Gemologists®

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PS: If you’d like to learn more about European Schengen Area travel logistics, we’ve covered the important things to know. Click HERE to read “Plan Your Trip to Greece: Traveling to Greece.”​

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