Entry/Exit System (EES)

The Entry/Exit System (EES) has been gradually introduced throughout the Schengen area since October 12, 2025.

Travellers are asked to obtain information from the official EES website of the European Commission.

You have the right to receive information as to whether your personal data is processed in the EES (Entry/Exit System). You have the option of accessing this information and having it corrected or deleted. For more information, please visit the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC) website.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an information system for managing the external Schengen-borders. The aim of the European Commission’s EES project is to modernise border control, improve security within the Schengen area and increase the efficiency of border checks by automating numerous border control procedures, in order to cope with the continuously increasing number of travelers.

The EES registers all third-country nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area and automatically calculates their duration of stay. It will replace the current manual practice of stamping passports. The EES will facilitate the detection of irregular migration by exposing people who overstay their authorised duration of stay. Additionally, it will help the authorities to carry out checks inside the Schengen area, by identifying people travelling without identity documents with greater accuracy. This is achieved through the use of biometric indicators such as facial images and fingerprints.

State of work at EU level

Following the adoption of the EES directive and the necessary amendment to the Schengen Border Code by the European Parliament in December 2017, the EU IT agency, eu-LISA, began work to develop and implement a central EES system. The soft opening is expected to begin in October 2025 and last for six months, with the gradual introduction of EES expected to be completed in April 2026.

State of work in Switzerland

Switzerland was notified about this Schengen development on 17 January 2018 and has two years to implement it in legislative form. On 21 November 2018, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on implementing the EES bill and forwarded it to Parliament. On 10 November 2021, the Federal Council adopted the corresponding amendments to the AIG and the implementing provisions for the use of the EES (national EES Ordinance).

With regard to the technical and organisational implementation, the SEM launched the national ‘EES’ project in September 2016. After successfully completing the mandatory assessment for large-scale ICT projects by the Federal IT Steering Unit, the EES project was given clearance in June 2018.

In preparation for the introduction of the EES in Switzerland, adjustments have been made to the border control infrastructure. At the start of the soft opening in October 2025, the completely revised version of the border control guidelines will then come into force.

The SEM is actively involved at EU level in the realization of the EES project through the working groups of the European Commission and the IT agency, eu-LISA.