As of April 10, 2026, the automated Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully launched at all external borders of the Schengen Area. Developed by the European Commission, it replaces manual passport stamping with digital registration. The system is now used by 25 EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Cyprus and Ireland remain the only EU countries where border officers still stamp passports manually, as Cyprus is not yet part of the Schengen Area. The island will only join EES once it officially enters Schengen. For residents, this creates a paradox: nothing changes within Cyprus, but many will face new rules when traveling to cities like Athens, Paris, or Berlin.
Who the system applies to
The EES applies exclusively to third-country nationals entering the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and other EU countries are not subject to registration. For them, nothing changes — they can continue crossing Schengen borders using their national ID cards or passports without biometric checks.
What about Cyprus residence permit holders
This is where it becomes important for many residents. Holding a Cyprus residence permit — whether a work visa, spouse visa of an EU citizen, Category F permit, or temporary protection status — does not automatically grant visa-free access to the Schengen Area. Everything depends on your passport. If your nationality requires a Schengen visa, you will go through the full border procedure: biometric photo, fingerprints of four fingers, and passport scanning. A Cyprus residence permit does not exempt you from this process. The exception applies to citizens of visa-free countries such as Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, the UK, the US, and others. They do not need a visa, but they must still register in the EES during their first entry.
How the border procedure works
During the first border crossing, the system creates a digital traveler profile. It stores biometric data, entry and exit dates, and information about any refusals of entry. These records are kept for three years, meaning travelers will not need to provide fingerprints or photos again during that period. On subsequent visits, biometric passport holders can simply verify their identity using facial recognition. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but must still provide a biometric photo. Refusal to provide biometric data automatically results in denial of entry into the Schengen Area.
The 90/180 rule is now automated
For Cyprus residents who frequently travel to Schengen countries, this is a key change. The EES automatically tracks compliance with the rule allowing 90 days of stay within any 180-day period. Manual counting by travelers and border officers is now a thing of the past. For example, if you spend 50 days in France and return to Cyprus, you will have 40 days remaining within the same 180-day window. Now, this is tracked by the system, not by a person. Exceeding the limit can result in fines or even a ban from entering all Schengen countries. The system operates automatically and strictly.
What the pilot phase revealed
During the pilot phase, which ran from October 2025, the EES recorded over 45 million border crossings. Around 24,000 travelers were denied entry, mainly due to expired or fraudulent documents or failure to justify the purpose of their visit. More than 600 individuals were identified as security risks and refused entry. In the first weeks of full implementation, queues are expected at border checkpoints, especially in major international airports. Travelers with connecting flights through Schengen should allow extra time. It is important to note that EES registration is completely free — any offers to “assist” with registration for a fee are scams.