New requirements to pass the external borders of Europe: EES
As of 12 October 2025, the Entry/Exit System (EES) applies to non-EU nationals travelling to the Netherlands for a short stay. The EES will gradually record data from the travel document, travel dates and biometric data.
The Netherlands will introduce the system gradually at the external borders. This means that collection of data from the travel document, travel dates and biometric data of non-EU nationals will be gradually introduced at border crossing points for a period of 6 months with full implementation by 10 April 2026. Hence, not all travellers in the scope of the EES will be recorded from the first day at alle border crossing points and not all their data will be recorded right away. Passport stamping will be maintained for 6 months and abolished as of 10 April 2026.
Digital database non-EU nationals travelling to and from Europe
The EES is an automated information technology (IT) system designed to register non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period, each time they cross an external border of a European country using the EES. This is done regardless of whether they need a short-stay visa, unless exceptions apply.
By securely storing this data, the EES will enhance the security of Europe’s borders and security in Europe in general, while maintaining the current freedom of movement for those eligible to travel without additional requirements.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
In Cyprus and Ireland, passports will continue to be stamped manually.
The EES will gradually replace passport stamps with a digital system that records when travellers enter and exit, making border checks faster.
If you have crossed the borders of the European countries using the EES more than once since the EES started, your fingerprints or the photo of your face will already be recorded in the EES. The passport control officers will only verify your fingerprints and photo, which will take less time.
If you hold a biometric passport, you will be able to enter more quickly using the self-service system (if available at that border crossing point).
Provide precise information to non-EU nationals regarding the maximum duration of their stay in the territory of the European countries using the EES. An online ‘Web Service’ tool will enable such travellers to check the remaining duration of their authorised stay
The EES will give border officers and law enforcement authorities access to important traveller information, helping them to spot security risks and support the fight against serious crimes and terrorism.
Travellers to whom the EES does not apply to
Nationals of European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland;
Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card and are immediately related to an EU national;
Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen;
Non-EU nationals travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au-pairing;
Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas;
Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See;
People exempt from border checks or who have been granted certain privileges with respect to border checks (such as heads of state, cross-border workers, etc.);
People not required to cross external borders solely at border crossing points and during fixed opening hours;
People holding a valid local border traffic permit;
Crew members of passenger and goods trains on international connecting journeys;
People holding a valid Facilitated Rail Transit Document or valid Facilitated Transit Document, provided they travel by train and do not disembark anywhere within the territory of an EU Member State.
