EES FAQ
The EES is a European Union system for digital registration of entry and exit data of third-country nationals, as well as refusal of entry data at the external borders of Member States. This system, defined by Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, replaces the manual stamping of travel documents with an automated data recording procedure.
Visit the official EES website to find out more about the modernised system for crossing the EU borders and prepare for new travelling rules.
Apart from the EES, Croatia also plans to introduce the National Facilitation Programme (NFP). This is a voluntary programme for third-country nationals frequently crossing the border who do not pose a security risk. NFP allows for faster and simpler border crossing as biometric imaging at border crossing points will no longer be required for repeated entries - the system compares the photo in the travel document against the one already stored in the EES.
Here is a short video: EES - new rules of travelling to Europe
You can download the leaflet with detailed information on the EES.
Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions:
What is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
The EES is a European Union system for registration of entry and exit data of third-country nationals, as well as refusal of entry data at the external borders of Member States. It is defined by Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 (EES).
Why is the EES being introduced?
The EES is being introduced to improve the external border management and ensure compliance with the permitted length of stay in Member States.
When will the EES start operating?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been technically established and is ready for use in the Republic of Croatia. Its progressive start of operations (Regulation EU 2025/1534) is expected on 12 October 2025, in accordance with the decision at European Union level.
From that date, the system will be used at all international border crossing points, as well as those local border crossing points that were temporarily designated for international traffic in accordance with the Agreement between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
From that date, the system will be used at all international border crossing points, as well as those local border crossing points that were temporarily designated for international traffic in accordance with the Agreement between the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
At the initial stage, depending on traffic volume and workload, registration in the EES system — that is, the creation of a personal EES file upon first entry and verification upon subsequent entries — will be carried out at border crossing points for a minimum of four hours per day (two hours per shift), both on entry and exit from the country.
This period will be gradually extended over a span of six months until full 24-hour implementation is achieved. Each following month, starting from the first day of the month, registration in the EES system will be extended by an additional two hours per shift, i.e. four hours per day.
There will be separate entry/exit EES lanes, primarily for third-country travellers subject to EES (however, the system will remain operational on all entry/exit lanes to account for periods of heavy traffic and peak hours when additional lanes will have to be used for EES purposes).Who does the EES apply to?
The EES applies to certain categories of third-country nationals entering or exiting the Schengen area. Travellers who are holders of residence cards, residence permits or long-term visas, as well as holders of local border traffic permits are exempt from the application, as are other categories listed in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.
The EES does not apply to European Union citizens and nationals of the Republic of Croatia, regardless of their place of residence.
The EES does not apply to European Union citizens and nationals of the Republic of Croatia, regardless of their place of residence.
How does the EES work?
The EES electronically records the time and place of entry and exit of third-country nationals admitted for a short stay in EU Member States, and calculates the length of authorised stay. When entering for the first time since the EES started, in addition to travel document data, biometric data are taken - fingerprints from four fingers of the right hand and a facial image (an individual EES file is created with a corresponding note on the time and place of entry/exit). When re-entering, the traveller’s identity is biometrically confirmed by comparing the live facial image against the previously stored data.
Biometric verification of the third-country national’s identity will also be done upon exit from the Schengen area by comparing the live facial image and verifying the travel document. Children below the age of 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but facial images are taken regardless of the traveller’s age.
Biometric verification of the third-country national’s identity will also be done upon exit from the Schengen area by comparing the live facial image and verifying the travel document. Children below the age of 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but facial images are taken regardless of the traveller’s age.
What is the National Facilitation Programme (NFP)?
The National Facilitation Programme is a programme that allows for faster and simpler border crossings for certain categories of travellers who meet the prescribed requirements. The programme is based on Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 on the establishment of the Entry/Exit System (EES).
What is the objective of the National Facilitation Programme?
The objective of the National Facilitation Programme is to facilitate travel for individuals who frequently cross the border and do not pose a security risk, while maintaining a high level of security and efficiency in border checks.
What is the advantage of participating in the National Facilitation Programme?
Upon the first entry, an individual EES file is created for travellers. During subsequent arrivals, they no longer need to have their photo taken at the border check booth, instead, the photograph stored on the passport chip is compared with the previously stored photo in the EES. At road border crossings, this means that travellers no longer have to exit their vehicles.
Who is eligible to participate in the National Facilitation Programme?
To participate in the National Facilitation Programme, travellers must meet the following conditions:
- comply with the conditions for entry according to Article 6, paragraph 1 of the Schengen Borders Code (valid travel document, visa if required, means of subsistence and return, no alerts in the SIS, no security risk),
- provide proof of the need for or intention of regular travel,
- provide proof of honesty and reliability (e.g. lawful use of previous visas, compliance with length of stay),
- not exceed the permitted duration of stay in previous travels.
How to submit an application for participation in the National Facilitation Programme?
The application is submitted at the border crossing point during border checks or at a police station.
Where are the EES kiosks located?
Self-service EES kiosks are located at six airports in Croatia: Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Zadar and Rijeka.
Who can use the EES kiosks?
The kiosks are intended for third-country nationals entering the Schengen area for the first time, who do not yet have a traveller file created, are not holders of residence permits, residence cards, or long-stay visas, and who do not belong to other exempt categories as defined by Regulation (EU) 2017/2226.
How does the process at the kiosk look like?
At the kiosk, the traveller undergoes a pre-registration process that includes:
- scanning the travel document,
- capturing facial biometrics and fingertips of four fingers of the right hand,
- a short questionnaire about the purpose of travel.
In which languages is the kiosk system available?
The system is available in 15 languages: Albanian, Arabic, Bosnian, Chinese, Croatian, English, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Macedonian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and Turkish.
The language is automatically selected based on the nationality of the traveller.
The language is automatically selected based on the nationality of the traveller.
What happens upon successful pre-registration?
The traveller is directed to manual border checks for data verification and the creation of an EES file. If there is already a file in another Member State, pre-registration is not necessary - the traveller goes directly to a border check booth.
Which data are collected by the EES and for how long are they kept?
The EES collects basic personal data, travel document data, four fingerprints of the right hand and a facial image.
Personal data of third-country nationals (individual EES file with corresponding notes on entry and exit) are generally kept for three years from the last exit from the Schengen area, after which they are automatically deleted, whereas personal data of third-country nationals who failed to leave the territory of Member States within the authorised period of stay are kept for five years.
Personal data of third-country nationals (individual EES file with corresponding notes on entry and exit) are generally kept for three years from the last exit from the Schengen area, after which they are automatically deleted, whereas personal data of third-country nationals who failed to leave the territory of Member States within the authorised period of stay are kept for five years.
Is there a fee to be paid for biometric data collection in the EES?
There is no fee for this procedure.
Are delays expected on border crossing points?
It is expected that border checks on road border crossing points will take more time because some travellers from third countries entering for the first time will have to exit their vehicles so that their individual EES file is created and later on their identity verified.
Waiting times are expected to decrease after the run-in phase and after the creation of a larger number of individual EES files.
Waiting times are expected to decrease after the run-in phase and after the creation of a larger number of individual EES files.