EES 2026: new rules for crossing the EU border for Ukrainians

Since April 10, 2026, the European Entry/Exit System (EES) has been fully operational at the external borders of the Schengen Area countries — a new digital system for controlling the entry and exit of foreigners. It changes the usual process of crossing the border, in particular for Ukrainians traveling to Europe by bus.

In this material, we will examine how exactly the system works, who it applies to, and what to be prepared for during trips.

What EES is and how it works

The European Entry/Exit System is an automated information system of the European Union that records all crossings of external borders by third-country nationals. This refers to people who are not citizens of the EU but travel to the Schengen Area for a short stay.

Previously, when crossing the border, a stamp with the date of entry or exit was placed in the passport. Now this data is stored electronically. The system automatically registers each border crossing, which allows for much more accurate tracking of the duration of stay.

In addition, during border control, biometric data is collected — a facial image and fingerprints. This approach makes it possible to identify a person regardless of documents and reduces the risks of fraud.

Who the new system applies to

EES applies to all citizens of countries that are not part of the European Union or the Schengen Area. This means that the system directly applies to Ukrainians traveling to Europe both under the visa-free regime and with short-stay visas.

It concerns trips of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is important to understand that this limit is common for all countries using the system. That is, stays, for example, in Poland and Germany are counted together.

In which countries EES operates

The system operates in 29 countries of the Schengen Area, including:

• Poland
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• the Netherlands
• Sweden
• Switzerland and other Schengen countries.

If you are traveling by bus to any of these countries, EES applies already at the first point of entry.

How EES works in practice

After the introduction of EES, the process of border control looks somewhat different than before.

During the first entry into the EU after the launch of the system, border guards:

• scan the passport;
• take a photo of the traveler;
• take fingerprints.

This procedure takes more time than a regular passport stamp, so at the initial stage an increase in queues is possible, especially on popular bus routes.

During subsequent trips, the data is already stored in the system, so the check is faster. In the future, active use of automated terminals is expected, which will further simplify the process.

In general, the system stores:

• full name and passport data;
• the date and place of each entry/exit;
• refusals of entry (if any);
• biometric data (photo and fingerprints).

Who is not subject to EES

The system does not apply if you:

• have a residence permit in the EU;
• have a long-stay visa;
• are a citizen of the EU;
• are a diplomat or have a special status;
• travel under specific programs (studies, exchange, NATO, etc.).

How border crossing will change for Ukrainians

The introduction of EES means stricter control over compliance with the 90/180 rule. If earlier inaccuracies or the human factor were possible, now the system automatically calculates all days of stay.

In addition, any violations, including refusals of entry, are recorded in the database and may affect future trips.

Equally important is that biometric identification is a mandatory procedure. Refusal of it effectively means невозможність entry into the country.

What will improve over time after adaptation:

• faster checks;
• less manual control;
• potentially shorter queues;
• less fraud;
• increased security in the EU.

It is important to clarify that, according to information from KLR lawyers, the European Entry/Exit System is in the stage of final adaptation at all border crossing points. Thanks to the system, border services more carefully control holders of short-stay visas, in particular single-entry and double-entry ones: whether an entry has already been made, whether the permitted number of entries has been exceeded, and whether the travel dates correspond to the declared conditions. In fact, EES makes it possible to track the “life cycle” of a visa in real time, which minimizes the possibility of reusing single-entry permits or manipulating the duration of stay. Passengers should plan their trips more carefully and strictly comply with visa conditions, especially when it comes to visas with a limited number of entries.

How to prepare for a bus trip

Before traveling by bus to Europe, it is recommended to:

• check the validity of the passport;
• calculate the days of stay (90/180);
• arrive for boarding in advance;
• allow more time for border crossing;
• be ready for the biometric procedure.

Conclusion

The European Entry/Exit System is an important step in the digitalization of border control in the European Union. For Ukrainians, this means new rules of the game: more control, but at the same time more predictability.

Despite possible inconveniences at the beginning, the system is designed to make travel to Europe more secure, structured, and convenient in the long term. It will become more difficult to violate the rules, while traveling with KLR will become even more convenient 😉