What is the EU Entry/Exit System?
The Entry/Exit System replaces manual passport stamping with digital records of border crossings. When a non-EU traveller enters or leaves the Schengen Area for a short stay, the system records their personal data, travel document details, date and place of entry or exit, and whether entry was refused. The purpose of EES is to improve border security, more accurately identify overstayers, and reduce identity fraud.
The system was gradually introduced starting on October 12, 2025 and became fully operational in all Schengen countries on April 10, 2026. The EES now applies at external borders across 29 European countries. According to the European Commission, more than 45 million border crossings were registered during the progressive rollout of the system.
The rollout has not been entirely smooth. In the first weeks of full operation, travellers reported longer queues at several European airports and border points. In some cases, waiting times stretched to several hours as passengers registered their biometrics for the first time and border authorities adapted to the new procedures.
Who does the EES apply to?
The Entry/Exit System applies to non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This includes many tourists, business visitors, and holders of short-stay Schengen visas.
The EES does not apply to EU citizens and residents, including Golden Visa holders.
European Golden Visas are residence permits or long-stay national visas and are outside the scope of EES when entering the Schengen Area under their residence status. This means that investors with European residence permits do not need to complete the same EES registration procedure as short-stay travellers.
Future of the Schengen Visas: digital QR-codes
Another major EU visa reform is the transition to a digital Schengen visa, which will replace the traditional paper visa sticker with a secure digital format.
Travellers will be able to apply through the EU Visa Application Platform: complete forms online, upload documents, pay the fee, and track their application status. The visa will be issued as a secure digital barcode instead of being placed in the passport, reducing the risks of forgery, loss, theft, or damage.
First-time applicants will still need to appear in person to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and a facial image. The digital visa is expected to work together with EES and ETIAS, forming a broader EU system for more secure and efficient border control.
Golden Visas help investors enter Schengen countries without border delays
Several European countries offer residence-by-investment programs that allow non-EU nationals to obtain residence permits, travel within the Schengen Area, and enter EU countries without EES registration.
There are several countries with such programs:
- Latvia provides residence permits by real estate, bank deposit, and business investment, with a minimum contribution of €50,000;
- Malta offers permanent residence for those who rent or buy a property, with minimal expenses of €169,000;
- Portugal Golden Visa is available for investors who contribute to investment funds, scientific research, business creation, or cultural contribution of at least €250,000;
- Greece Golden Visa offers residence by real estate investment, with thresholds depending on the location and type of property, starting at €250,000;
- Italy residency by investment offers such options as government bonds, companies, innovative startups, or philanthropic projects, with an investment threshold of €250,000;
- Hungary issues a permit for investors who purchase real estate investment fund units or donate to education, with a financial requirement of at least €250,000.
For investors who travel to Europe regularly, these programs provide a long-term legal base in Europe, access to Schengen travel, and reduced dependence on short-stay visa procedures.
