Border check · Europe (Schengen area)
Entry/Exit System registration (EES)
At the border, the first time you enter the Schengen area after it started. There's nothing to do before you travel. It's free on the official site. Children are registered too. Fingerprints aren't taken from children under 12.
Official site
travel-europe.europa.euOnly use the official government site. Look-alike sites may charge for something that's free or cheaper there.
WayReady is an independent company, not the government. We link you to the official site and never charge for a government form.
- Cost
- Free
- When
- At the border, the first time you enter the Schengen area after it started. There's nothing to do before you travel.
- Who
- Non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for a short stay.
For families and groups
- Children are registered too. Fingerprints aren't taken from children under 12.
What you'll need
- Your passport
- Fingerprints and a facial image, taken at the border
Good to know
- It replaces passport stamps with a digital record of your entries and exits.
- ETIAS isn't required yet. When it starts it will cost €20.
Questions
What is the official EES website?
Entry/Exit System (European Union) (https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en). It's free there. WayReady isn't the government: we link you to the official site.
When can I submit the EES?
At the border, the first time you enter the Schengen area after it started. There's nothing to do before you travel.
Who needs the EES?
Non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area for a short stay.
Do children need the EES?
Children are registered too. Fingerprints aren't taken from children under 12.
How much does the EES cost?
Nothing on the official site, Entry/Exit System (European Union). Sites that charge a fee for it aren't the government.
Sources
Checked 3 October 2026. Rules can change at short notice, so confirm on the official site before you travel. How we check.