All about EES and why you don't need to do anything

The EES is a digital way to track when travellers with a non-EU passport enter and leave Europe. Instead of a stamp in your passport, data such as arrival and departure dates, facial photos, fingerprints, and your passport are automatically stored. At Schiphol, your passport is always registered in the Entry/Exit System, but your facial image and fingerprints are not yet recorded in all cases.

This procedure applies to people travelling to Europe for a short stay (a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period). The EU aims to strengthen security at Europe's external borders with this new system. All 29 European Schengen countries are implementing it.

Because Schiphol is an official external border of the EU, the new procedure also applies here. We have therefore, among other things, adjusted the walking routes and signage towards passport control. Non-EU travellers must register at special kiosks upon arrival and transfer to other European destinations. Border control is carried out by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, who are responsible for monitoring our borders.

At Schiphol, you'll notice a few things are different before you go to passport control:

• New kiosks where travellers with a non‑EU passport register their data digitally.
• Signs and directions indicating the route for EES travellers.
• Additional Schiphol staff at the kiosks to assist travellers.
• Adjusted walking routes that distinguish between EU and non-EU travellers. As an EU citizen, you'll simply walk past these, but you may notice that non-EU travellers must take extra steps.

If you have an EU passport or are travelling with a passport from a country within the Schengen Area, you do not need to participate in this digital registration. You will cross the border as usual, without any additional steps.

Because you'll soon encounter the EES at Schiphol. You might wonder what it is, or why some travellers take a different route. By informing you in advance, we ensure you're well-prepared for your journey and that you know this procedure doesn't apply to you. Although we're taking measures to keep things running smoothly, it may sometimes be a bit busier upon arrival at Schiphol due to, for example, the extra steps some travellers have to take.

If you want to learn more about the EES, perhaps because you have family or friends who do need to register, please visit: