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EES Border Controls in France: Where the EU’s New System Stands Today

  • Writer: A New Life
    A New Life
  • 6 days ago
  • 3 min read

Schengen Area travel is undergoing its biggest change in decades. For anyone arriving in France from outside Europe—including UK, US, Canadian, Australian and other non-EU nationals—the long-planned Entry/Exit System (EES) is now firmly moving from theory to reality.


This article explains why EES was created, what it will do, and where implementation stands today, with a particular focus on France and practical implications for travellers.


Why the EU Introduced EES

For years, entry to the Schengen Area relied on manual passport stamping to track how long non-EU visitors stayed.


That system has struggled with:

  • Inconsistent checks between countries

  • Human error when counting the 90 days in any 180-day period

  • Difficulty identifying overstayers

  • Growing pressure on borders from rising travel volumes


EES was designed to modernise this system by replacing stamps with a centralised digital record of entry and exit across all Schengen countries.


What Is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?

EES is an EU-wide digital border control system that applies to non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen Area for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).


It will:

  • Digitally record entry and exit dates

  • Automatically calculate how many days you have used

  • Flag overstays or previous refusals

  • Replace passport stamping once fully operational


Who EES Applies To

EES applies to:

  • Visa-free visitors (e.g. UK, US, Canada, Australia)

  • Visitors who require a short-stay Schengen visa


It does not apply to:

  • EU / EEA / Swiss citizens

  • People holding long-stay visas or French residency cards


What Data Will Be Collected?

On first entry after EES goes live, travellers will be required to provide:

  • Passport details

  • A facial photograph

  • Fingerprints (usually four fingers)

  • Date and place of entry or exit


Once registered, your data remains stored for three years after your last exit, allowing quicker processing on future visits.


How EES Will Work in France

France is one of the key front-line countries for EES because of:

  • Major international airports (Paris CDG, Orly, Nice)

  • Eurostar terminals (Paris, London St Pancras outbound checks)

  • Ferry ports and Eurotunnel terminals


At Airports and Terminals

Travellers will typically:

  1. Use self-service kiosks to scan passports and submit biometric data

  2. Proceed to a border officer for identity verification

  3. On future visits, use automated e-gates where eligible


At ferry ports and smaller crossings, staff may use tablet-based systems rather than fixed kiosks.


The Implementation Timeline: Where We Are Now

After several delays, EES now has a clear phased rollout plan:

  • 12 October 2025 – EES begins rolling out across Schengen borders

  • October 2025 to April 2026 – Six-month phase-in period

  • 10 April 2026 – EES expected to be fully operational

  • Passport stamping to end once the system is fully live


During the phase-in period:

  • Not all border points will use EES immediately

  • Biometric collection may initially be limited

  • Some travellers may still receive passport stamps


France, Germany and the Netherlands have now formally confirmed readiness, removing one of the biggest barriers to launch.


What EES Means for Travellers to France

The 90/180 Rule Will Be Enforced Automatically

EES removes ambiguity. If you overstay:

  • The system will flag it instantly

  • You may face fines, entry bans, or future refusals

  • Border officers across Schengen will see your history


No More “Benefit of the Doubt”

Previously, unclear stamps sometimes worked in a traveller’s favour. Under EES:

  • Calculations are automatic

  • Errors are far harder to dispute

  • Overstayers are added to an EU-wide alert list


Faster (Eventually), Slower at First

Initially, travellers should expect:

  • Longer queues during the early months

  • Slower processing at busy travel times


Once fully operational:

  • Repeat visitors should experience faster entry

  • E-gates will handle much of the process


How EES Fits with ETIAS

EES is only the first step in the EU’s border overhaul.

Once EES is fully live, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to follow approximately six months later.


ETIAS will require visa-free travellers to:

  • Complete an online pre-travel authorisation

  • Pay a small fee

  • Receive approval before travelling


EES tracks movement.ETIAS controls permission to travel.


What This Means for Second-Home Owners and Frequent Visitors

For people who regularly visit France—especially:

  • UK second-home owners

  • Long-stay winter visitors

  • Those “pushing” the 90-day limit


EES makes planning essential. Many are now:

  • Applying for long-stay visitor visas

  • Tracking days far more carefully

  • Rethinking travel patterns altogether


The Bottom Line

EES is no longer a distant EU proposal—it is happening.


For travellers arriving in France from outside Europe:

  • Border checks will become digital, biometric and automated

  • The 90-day rule will be strictly enforced

  • Planning ahead will be more important than ever


While the transition may feel disruptive at first, EES marks a permanent shift towards a data-driven Schengen border—and France is right at the centre of that change.

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