Implementation of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) for the Schengen Area

Vue aérienne Monaco © Manuel Vitali - Direction de la Communication

As of 12 October 2025, the Member States of the Schengen Area will progressively implement a new system for monitoring entries and exits across the external borders of the Schengen Area – the Entry/Exit System (EES). Starting from this date, initially at some border crossing points only, and subsequently across all border posts from 10 April 2026, the personal data of third-country nationals will be collected digitally upon each entry into or exit from the Schengen Area.

This system aims to strengthen the security of the Schengen Area’s external borders, improve the management of migratory flows, and facilitate travel for third-country nationals visiting the Schengen Area for short stays (of less than three months).

In practical terms, the EES will replace the manual stamping of passports with an automated digital registration that records the traveller’s identity, the date and place of entry and exit, and biometric data (fingerprints and facial image).

It is important to note that Monegasque nationals and residents will not be subject to these registration requirements when crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area, in accordance with the provisions of the Schengen Borders Code and the EU Regulation establishing the EES*. 

The introduction of this system will therefore have no impact on Monegasque nationals or residents holding a valid residence permit.

Member States of the Schengen Area have been made aware of these provisions to ensure that they are properly taken into account.

However, longer waiting times may occur for travellers entering the Schengen Area.

Further information is available at: https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/ltr

*Regulation (EU) 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code)

Article 6a, paragraph 3, point (f) – for Monegasque nationals

Article 6a, paragraph 3, point (c) – for Monegasque residents

Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 (establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES))

Article 2, paragraph 3, point (f) – for Monegasque nationals

Article 2, paragraph 3, point (c) – for Monegasque residents

With regard to residents, it should be noted that the list of residence permits referred to in Article 2(16) of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 includes the following Monegasque residence permits: temporary permit, ordinary permit, privilege permit and spouse of a Monegasque national permit. These are included pursuant to the Decision of the Executive Committee of 23 June 1998 concerning Monegasque residence permits [SCH/Com-ex (98) 19 ].