If you are planning to apply for a Schengen visa this year, you may have heard about EES and ETIAS. These new systems can affect travelers in different ways, depending on whether you need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. Here is what has already changed, what is still coming, and what EES and ETIAS mean for your trip.

The Short Answer

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is now live and is replacing manual passport stamps with digital records at Schengen borders. ETIAS is different because it is a travel authorization for people who can enter the Schengen Area without a visa. The EU no longer expects ETIAS to launch in late 2026, and the current outlook points to 2027.

If you already need a Schengen visa, ETIAS does not apply to you. This includes most travelers from Pakistan, Kenya, and many other countries whose citizens need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. The Schengen visa application fee increased to €90 in June 2024 and has not changed since.

EES: Already Here, Already Working

The Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational across the Schengen Area on 10 April 2026. It first started with a phased rollout in October 2025 before becoming fully active. If you have traveled to a Schengen country recently, you may have already used the system without knowing its name.

These are the main changes travelers should know about.

No More Passport Stamps

Your entry and exit are now recorded digitally through the EES. The system links these records to your passport and facial image instead of using a manual stamp. This gives border authorities a digital record of when you enter and leave.

Automatic Day Counting

The EES records your entries and exits to help track the 90 days in any 180-day period rule. You no longer need to rely only on passport stamps to check your travel history. The digital record gives border authorities a more accurate way to track your stay.

First Entry Registration

The first time you cross a Schengen border under the EES, border staff may collect your fingerprints and facial image. Your biometric details are then stored in the system for future border checks. Later entries may be quicker because your details are already registered.

Your Visa Has Not Changed

The EES changes how your entries and exits are recorded, but it does not change your existing visa. You do not need to apply for a new visa just because the EES is now in use. It also does not change the documents required for your Schengen visa application.

Allow Extra Time at the Airport

If you are traveling to the Schengen Area for the first time since EES became active, allow extra time at the airport. You may need to complete the biometric registration process when you first cross the border. Processing times can vary between airports and border crossing points.

ETIAS Is Not Live Yet and Has Been Delayed

A lot of information about ETIAS online is now out of date. Some guides updated as recently as September 2026 still mention a mid-2026 or late-2026 launch. These dates are no longer reliable, so travelers should check the latest EU updates before making plans.

Here is a simpler version with the same meaning and exactly three sentences:

• The EU had planned to launch ETIAS in the last quarter of 2026.
• By mid-2026, eu-LISA reportedly found that a 2026 launch was no longer possible.
• The official ETIAS website has removed the last quarter of 2026 date and now says the launch date will be announced later.
• Most people following the rollout now expect ETIAS to launch in 2027, but the EU has not confirmed this date.
• Travelers should rely on the official ETIAS website for the latest launch updates and avoid outdated 2026 information.

What this means practically 

If you are a visa-exempt traveler, you do not need to take any action right now. ETIAS is not open for applications yet, so there is no official portal where you can apply, pay, or register. Once ETIAS launches, the EU has confirmed a transition period of at least six months, so travelers will not be refused entry only because they do not have ETIAS, as long as they meet all other entry requirements.

Who does ETIAS actually apply to?

This is the part that often causes confusion. ETIAS is not a visa but a pre-travel check for people who do not need a visa to enter the Schengen Area. If your passport requires a Schengen visa, you will continue to apply for a visa as usual.

This includes most travelers from South Asia, much of Africa, and many other regions. If you hold a passport from a visa-exempt country, ETIAS will apply to you once the system starts. However, ETIAS is not live yet, and the EU has not confirmed a launch date.

Schengen Visa Fees Have Not Changed Since 2024

The Schengen visa fee has been €90 for adults since June 2024. The fee has not changed since then, although some older guides still list the previous €80 fee. For reference:

• Adults: €90
• Children aged 6–11: €45
• Children under 6: No fee

The €90 fee is charged by the government of the country you are applying to. This is the main visa fee for an adult applicant. It is separate from any service fee charged by the visa application centre.

The centre handling your application, such as VFS Global, may charge an extra service fee. The amount can vary by country and application centre. Check the current fee when booking your appointment instead of relying on an older article.

What Stays the Same for Schengen Travelers

It is easy to read headlines about EES and ETIAS and assume the whole application process has been overhauled. It has not. What you actually need to prove to get a Schengen visa is unchanged:

• Genuine travel purpose
• Sufficient financial means for your trip
• Valid travel insurance with adequate medical coverage
• A clear intention to return home
• Accurate, consistent documentation across your entire file

The changes affect how your entry and exit are tracked at the border and, later, how visa-exempt travelers are checked before travel. They do not change the documents you need to submit for a Schengen visa. They also do not change what a visa officer looks for when reviewing your application.

What You Need to Do Before Applying

If you already need a Schengen visa, you can continue with the normal application process. This applies to most applicants Royal Walk works with across the UAE, Pakistan, and Kenya.

Keep applying as usual.

EES and ETIAS do not change your Schengen visa document checklist. You still need to provide the documents required for your visa application.

Track your travel days carefully.

EES records your entries and exits digitally and helps track the 90/180 rule. An overstay can be recorded and may affect future travel or visa applications.

Do not apply for ETIAS yet.

ETIAS is not open for applications at this time. Be careful with any website asking for payment or personal information for an ETIAS application.

Allow extra time at the airport.

Your first EES registration may take longer than the old passport stamp process. Arrive early so you have enough time to complete border checks.

Conclusion

EES and ETIAS have faced several delays and changes over the past few years. Because of this, you should be careful with any article that gives a future launch date as a confirmed date. Check the official EU website or your destination country’s immigration authority before making travel plans based on ETIAS.

Royal Walk helps applicants across the UAE, Pakistan, and Kenya prepare their Schengen visa applications. We review your documents, help you build a complete and consistent file, and guide you through each step. The relevant Schengen country’s authorities make the final visa decision.