Overview

• The 180-day rollout runs to 9 April 2026 with initial token deployments that leave most crossings using passport stamps at first.
• On first contact, third-country nationals register a facial image and fingerprints at kiosks or modified eGates, with children under 12 exempt from fingerprinting.
• Subsequent trips use face checks against a digital record that remains valid for three years and refreshes with each entry.
• Governments warn of longer queues but say no pre-arrival action or fee is required, and medical insurance is not an EES mandate.
• Cruise sailings that start and finish outside the Schengen area are generally exempt, whereas fly-cruise itineraries via Schengen ports require EES checks.