IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ! ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR EUROPE! (Schengen Area)

The European Union EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

The new digital European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) will start on 12 October 2025 and register all non-EU nationals, including Australians, travelling in or out of the Schengen area.

European countries using the EES will gradually introduce the system at their external borders. Data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026. 

When you enter the Schengen area on your first visit to Europe after the EES is introduced, you will be required to:

• have your fingerprints and photo taken
• answer Schengen Border Code questions. 

This will create a digital record that registers your biometric details. 

If you revisit the Schengen area within 3 years of creating your digital record, you'll only need to provide your fingerprint and/or photograph at the border on entry and exit.

You do not need to do anything before arriving at the border. 

The EES registration is free.

The registration process should only take a few minutes, but when the system starts, you may experience longer border queues.

If you frequently travel to the Schengen area for work and/or leisure, ensure your total stay is no more than 90 days in every 180 days. This period is calculated as a single period for all the European countries using the EES. It is attached to you as a person, rather than to your passport. This means that even if you enter the Schengen area using a different passport, you will still be restricted to the same 90 days in every 180 days.

If you stay longer than permitted, you will be considered an 'overstayer'.

If you overstay the period allowed in the European countries using the EES, the system will identify you and record this information. This may result in you being detained or removed from the country, a fine or prevent you from returning to the EU in the future.

PLEASE NOTE: Entry requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to ensure you meet the current requirements before traveling. Please verify the latest information by consulting the nearest embassy, consulate, immigration office, or the official website of the immigration authority of your destination.