Key points
- The graphic shows three rules on one trip: apply for ETIAS before travelling, register with EES at the border, keep within the 90/180 rule while inside, and register with EES again on leaving.
- The EU says ETIAS is not yet in operation and no applications are being collected. It will announce the start date several months before launch [4].
- The EES records non-EU short-stay travellers each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries, replacing passport stamps over time [2].
- A short stay means up to 90 days in any 180-day period, counted as a single period across all the countries using the EES [2].
The infographic in text
The graphic is titled “Schengen Travel Made Simple: EES, ETIAS & 90/180 Rule”, with the subtitle “Understand how EES, ETIAS, and the 90/180 rule work together to regulate travel in the Schengen Area.” It is a left to right timeline with four coloured stops, ETIAS, EES, 90/180 and EES, and a dotted bracket labelled “Your Trip” running from the first EES stop (entry) to the second (exit). The website www.90-180.eu appears top right.
| Stage on the timeline | System | What the graphic says |
|---|---|---|
| Apply Before Trip | ETIAS, European Travel Information and Authorization System | A travel authorization system for visa-exempt nationals, pre-screening travelers before entry. |
| Border Entry | EES, European Entry/Exit System | EU system that records the entry and exit of non-EU travelers using biometric data. |
| Stay Limits (during “Your Trip”) | 90/180 Rule | A Schengen rule that allows non-EU travelers to stay in the area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. It’s your responsibility to track your stay and ensure compliance with the 90/180 rule. |
| Border Exit | EES, European Entry/Exit System | EU system that records the entry and exit of non-EU travelers using biometric data. |
What the EU says about the EES
The Entry/Exit System is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals on a short stay each time they cross the external borders of the countries using it. The EU lists 29: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland [2]. It applies whether or not you need a short-stay visa. In Cyprus and Ireland passports are still stamped by hand [2]. The EU says the EES uses fingerprint and face data and will gradually replace passport stamps [2].
The EU runs an online tool that tells you how many days of your short stay remain. It does not count any time in the Schengen area that began before 10 April 2026 [5].
What the EU says about ETIAS
ETIAS will be a travel authorisation for nationals of 59 visa-exempt countries travelling to 30 European countries [4]. Once running, it will be linked to your passport and valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first, and it allows short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It will not guarantee entry: border guards will still check that you meet the entry conditions [3]. The EU says most applications will be processed within minutes, but some may take up to four days, or longer if more information or an interview is needed [3].
Notes on this infographic
- ETIAS is not running yet. The graphic shows “Apply Before Trip” as a current step. When checked in October 2026 the EU said ETIAS was not in operation and no applications were being collected [4]. The 90-180.eu guide that goes with the graphic says ETIAS starts in 2025 [1]; that date has passed without launch.
- “EU system”. The EES also covers Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, which are not EU members, while passports are still stamped by hand in EU members Cyprus and Ireland [2].
- Country counts. The EU gives 29 countries for EES and 30 for ETIAS [4]. ETIAS includes Cyprus, where days are counted separately from the 90-day limit for the other countries [3].
- Not legal advice. Entry rules change. Check the official EU pages linked below before you travel.
Questions about ETIAS, EES and the 90/180 rule
What is the 90/180 day rule?
It limits a short stay to 90 days within any 180-day period. For the EES this is counted as one period across all the countries using the system, not per country [2].
Do I currently need ETIAS?
No. The EU says ETIAS is not yet in operation and no applications are being collected [4].
What date will ETIAS start?
No date has been set on the official site. The EU says it will announce the start date several months before ETIAS launches [4].
Sources
- 90-180.eu, What Is the 90/180 Day Rule in Europe? A Complete Guide
- European Union, Travel to Europe, What is the EES?
- European Union, Travel to Europe, What is ETIAS
- European Union, Travel to Europe (EES and ETIAS overview)
- European Union, EES, Check how long you can stay
Last reviewed 29 October 2026
