Definition
Two EU border systems. EES digitally registers non-EU travellers' face and fingerprints at Schengen borders, replacing passport stamps, and applies to Indians. ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals only; Indians who need a Schengen visa do not need it.
EES: what changes for Indian travellers
The Entry/Exit System began operating in October 2025 and, after a six-month phase-in, has been in full use at Schengen external borders since April 2026. At your first entry under EES, an officer or self-service kiosk records:
- your passport details
- a facial image
- fingerprints (for visa holders, checked against the ones given for the visa; children under 12 are exempt)
Each later entry and exit is logged electronically, so passport stamps are no longer used. The system also counts your 90/180-day allowance automatically, which makes overstays instantly visible. Records are generally kept for three years.
Expect longer queues on the first trip, especially at Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Milan in summer. EES runs in the Schengen countries, not in the UK or Ireland.
ETIAS: not for Indian passport holders
ETIAS is an online travel authorisation for nationalities that visit Europe visa-free, such as Americans, Britons, Australians and Singaporeans. At the time of review, the EU's timeline has ETIAS starting in the last quarter of 2026, followed by a transition period before it is strictly enforced. Indian passport holders still need a Schengen visa; ETIAS does not replace it, and websites selling ETIAS to Indians should be ignored.
Example
A Delhi family meets an NRI cousin with a US passport in Zurich. The family gives facial images and fingerprints under EES on arrival, using their Schengen visas. The cousin goes through the same EES registration and will also need an approved ETIAS once it is enforced.
Practical advice
Allow 30–45 extra minutes at your first Schengen entry and keep bookings handy. ETIAS dates have shifted before, so check the official EU site close to travel. See our Schengen visa guide.