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EES and ETIAS: what they mean for travellers and when ETIAS will come into force

Checked in November 2026 against the official EU website.

These are two different systems that are often confused. EES is already in operation. ETIAS isn’t yet.

EES: replacing passport stamps

The Entry/Exit System began operating on 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. It applies in 29 countries, including Romania and Bulgaria. Passport stamps are still used in Cyprus and Ireland.

Who it applies to: people who aren’t citizens of these countries and are visiting for a short stay, with or without a visa. This includes Moldovan passport holders.

What happens at the border

  • The first time you cross the border, your facial image and/or fingerprints will be taken.
  • Your passport won’t be stamped; your days will be counted automatically.
  • The rule is unchanged: 90 days in any 180-day period, calculated across all EES countries.
  • If you refuse to provide biometric data, you’ll be refused entry.
  • Your data will be stored for 3 years, or 5 years if your departure hasn’t been recorded.

Allow extra time at the border the first time you cross, especially during busy periods.

Who EES doesn’t apply to

Citizens of EES countries, Cyprus and Ireland. It also doesn’t apply to people with a residence permit or long-stay visa. This matters if you live legally in the EU.

ETIAS: not in operation yet

The official website says ETIAS isn’t in operation and applications aren’t being accepted. The launch date will be announced a few months in advance. Until April 2026, the European Commission had referred to the fourth quarter of 2026, but that target has been dropped and no new date has been announced.

Beware: websites asking you to pay for ETIAS now are not official.

What’s known about ETIAS

  • It will cost 20 euros. People under 18 and over 70 won’t have to pay.
  • It will be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires.
  • You’ll usually get a response within a few minutes, sometimes within 4 days. If documents are requested, it can take 14-30 days.
  • It will also be required for Moldovan citizens travelling to 30 countries, including Romania and Cyprus.
  • Moldovan citizens will need a biometric passport. A visa will be required with any other passport.
  • If you also have EU citizenship, for example Romanian citizenship, travel on that passport and you won’t need ETIAS.

We’ll update this article when an official date is announced. See also which countries you can visit visa-free with a Moldovan passport.