As of April 10, 2026, the Entry/Exit System (EES) has become full operational in 29 European countries. In the long term, the system will facilitate travel to Europe for third-country nationals traveling for short stays. In Latvia, since the launch of the EES, 163 580 entry/exit events have already been registered.
The benefits of the Entry/Exit System (EES) for citizens of the European Union (EU) Member States and for third‑country nationals include the modernisation and improvement of the management of the EU’s external borders, the provision of smooth and rapid border crossing, the prevention of illegal migration, as well as the strengthening of security at the EU’s external borders and within the EU as a whole.
Since October 12 of last year, the Entry/Exit System (EES) has been gradually introduced over a six-month period at the external borders of 29 European countries. This means that at certain border crossing points, biometric data of third-country nationals had not yet been collected, and passport stamps were still being applied. As of April 10, 2026, significant changes are planned at these border crossing points in the border control process for third-country nationals. The previous practice of stamping travel documents will be replaced with digital data registration, along with the collection of biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) of third-country nationals.
An automatic stay-day calculator will also be introduced, ensuring accurate and automated tracking of the duration of stay, significantly reducing the risk of human error and speeding up the border control process. It will enable timely detection of violations of stay regulations, strengthen national border security, and provide travellers with the ability to check for themselves the number of remaining days available for short-term stays.
The full implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) means more modern and efficient border control through the use of a digital system that registers entries, exits, and refusals of entry, thereby speeding up border checks in the long term and easing the work of border guards. In Latvia, the EES has been fully operational since October 12 of last year, ensuring faster border checks, greater security, shorter queues, and easier travel for third-country nationals. It should be noted that border check procedures in the Republic of Latvia for third-country nationals traveling for short stays will continue to be carried out in the same manner and scope as when the gradual implementation of the EES began on October 12 of last year.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) applies to short-term stays—up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This period is calculated collectively across all European countries that use the EES. Registration in the EES is required for third-country nationals who travel to EES countries with a short-term visa, as well as for those who travel visa-free for short stays in these countries.
If a third-country national arrives at a border crossing point for the first time since the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), the person must provide their personal data to the border guard. Border guards will scan the person’s fingerprints and take a photograph of their face. This information is stored in a digital file.
If a third-country national crosses the external borders of European countries again, person’s fingerprints and facial image will already be registered in the Entry/Exit System (EES). In this case, only data verification is required when crossing the border—the border guard checks the fingerprints or facial image, which takes less time.
The use of biometric data is a reliable method that enables accurate identification of individuals, thereby significantly reducing identification errors, as well as helping to identify persons without identity documents who are already in the Schengen Area. The collection of biometric data can enhance security in European countries, for example by preventing people from going missing or becoming victims of human trafficking, and by supporting efforts to combat serious crime and terrorism.
Although the collection of biometric data may affect travellers’ privacy, the technology used in the EES ensures the protection of fundamental rights. Personal data will be stored in the EES only for as long as necessary for the purpose(s) for which it is collected.
More detailed information about the EES is available on the website travel‑europe.europa.eu, including in the Frequently Asked Questions sections:
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/lv/ees/faq##
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/en/ees/faq##
For questions regarding entry into or exit from Latvia, please call the State Border Guard at +371 67913300 or write to the e‑mail address: od@rs.gov.lv.
Informāciju sagatavoja: Jolanta Babiško,
Valsts robežsardzes Galvenās pārvaldes Stratēģiskās attīstības un sabiedrisko attiecību nodaļas vecākā speciāliste, tālr. 67075617, mob. 20364206, e-pasts: jolanta.babisko@rs.gov.lv