Last week we wrote to you about the new European Entry Exit System (EES) that launched on October 12^th, 2025.

In return, we received some good questions about travel logistics for the Schengen Area overall, the operational EES, and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) in particular.

So let’s dive into your frequently asked questions about European travel logistics for the 29 Schengen States.

1) Who can travel without a visa within the Schengen Zone? For how long?

Citizens of all E.U. member nations or non-E.U. Schengen States can move freely between all Schengen borders for any length of time.

Citizens of 60 or so visa-exempt countries may travel freely within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days max in any 180-day period.

2) What’s the Schengen 90/180 rule?

The Schengen 90 /180 rule means visa-free travelers can stay for a maximum of 90 cumulative days, rather than consecutive days, within a 180-day timeframe.

If you travel to Europe often for a business or leisure travel, and/or you remain for weeks or months at one time (which we do), we highly recommend to check your remaining travel days within a Schengen calculator.

There’s an official E.U. Schengen short-stay calculator. However, Paul prefers to use this Schengen calculator.

3) What do I need to do to prepare for EES?

There’s no advance preparation or fee involved for EES, only your current passport from one of the 60 visa-exempt nations. The EES collects biometric images at your first international entry to and at your final exit from the Schengen Area.

4) What do I need to know about ETIAS?

Sometime in 2026, the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is slated to launch.

The original ETIAS timeframe had been planned for 2025, then was expected “to be operational six months after EES.” Presently, the E.U. announced the ETIAS target launch date in the 4^th quarter 2026.

The ETIAS will be an online application and authorization for nationals from the currently visa-exempt nations.

Once implemented, the ETIAS application, payment, security checks, and approval will occur entirely online.

The ETIAS application processing fee is currently set at 20 euros for people between the ages of 18 and 70. The application processing fee is subject to change.

Applications for younger children and older adults are expected to be free.

Once your ETIAS application is approved, the ETIAS approval will cover multiple trips. It will be valid either for three years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

When launch time comes, we’ll let you know. And at that time, please make sure to use only the official website, etias.com.

5) Do I still need a passport?

Absolutely! Not only do you need a current passport, but also your passport must be valid for at least three months after your scheduled departure date from a Schengen State.

Until next time, Reader,

Travel on, sparkle on, meaningfully✨

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

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PS: Bonus FAQ: Can you recap all the Schengen countries in alpha order?

Gladly! The 29 Schengen States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

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