Flying to Europe from the United States looks a little different than it used to.
The European Union changed the way it records travelers crossing its external borders with a new Entry/Exit System (EES) that is now fully operational. It replaces traditional passport stamps with a digital record for many non-EU travelers.
When I was planning a trip to Europe, I read about travelers voicing concerns online about longer lines and a more complicated arrival process.
Because of this, I padded my layover to allow extra time (definitely the right idea), and picked up a few tips along the way that can make navigating EES a little easier. Take this advice if you’re planning a flight to Europe.
In this article
What Is the EU Entry/Exit System?
The EU Entry/Exit System is a digital border system for non-EU nationals visiting participating European countries for short stays. To be eligible to use the digital system, you must have a valid, biometric passport. Biometric passports have been standard issue since August 2007, but it's worth checking yours to make sure it has the e-passport symbol on it.
Instead of receiving a traditional passport stamp as in the past, eligible travelers now have their passport information, entry and exit dates, facial image, and (in most cases) fingerprints recorded electronically. Visitors can stay up to 90 days within a rolling 180-day window across all European countries using the EES.
The system currently covers all 29 European countries in the Schengen region, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Greece. Ireland and Cyprus are part of the EU but not part of the Schengen area, so the EES does not apply there.
Be Prepared for a Different Border Experience
When I traveled to Europe from the U.S. last month with my daughter, we had a layover in Munich before continuing to Dubrovnik.
To say that the system was confusing is an understatement. We exited our flight into the terminal, where a line of mostly Americans waited for the EES kiosks. It wasn't clear whether we were required to wait here before proceeding to passport control. We had plenty of time, so we decided to wait in the line.
When we got to the front, we both had to scan our passports at the kiosk, take photos, and scan fingerprints. It all worked as expected for my daughter, but for some reason, the fingerprint scanning didn't work for me. After that hiccup, we were both directed to proceed to passport control.
We then waited in another long line to get to the border control agent. I wasn't asked to scan my fingerprints again, though I did see other passengers doing so. We were asked a few questions about our trip (where we were going and how long we were staying), and then were allowed to proceed.
For us, it took a long time and didn't speed up the process at border control.
Give Yourself Extra Time for Connecting Flights
If you're connecting through Europe, don't treat immigration as just another quick step between flights.
We saw many travelers begging others to let them cut in line as they were at risk of missing their connecting flights due to the delay at immigration.
Lines may be longer as airports and travelers adjust to the new system, so it's important to allow extra time for this process when you are traveling from the U.S. and entering the Schengen Area.
What Families Need to Know
Every family member, including children, is required to have an individual EES record.
Kids under 12 aren't required to provide fingerprints, but their facial image is collected as part of the registration process. It can be helpful to prepare children for this experience, so they know what to expect.
Additionally, children under 12 can't use self-service kiosks, so families should stay together and proceed to manned border control lanes. Some airports have special family queues to streamline the process, so keep an eye out for them if you are traveling with children.
Check Your Passport and Stay Requirements Before You Go
EES makes it easier for European authorities to track how long non-EU visitors spend in the participating countries, so it's more important than ever to understand the 90-days-in-180-days rule.
The calculation applies across participating countries rather than restarting each time you cross into another country.
Before your trip, check your passport's validity, review the entry requirements for every country on your itinerary, and make sure you know how long you're permitted to stay. The EU also offers an online tool that can help travelers calculate their authorized stay.
The Shortcut
The fingerprint scanner and facial recognition don't always take. If it fails, you need to go through the traditional passport control line, so build in extra time.
Kids under 12 can't use the self-service kiosks at all, so families get routed to the manned lanes. Some airports run a separate family queue.
Your 90 days are counted across all 29 Schengen countries together, not per country. This system allows the EU to track your time across the rolling 180-day period.
