The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated information system that records the data of third-country nationals travelling for short stays whenever they cross the external borders of the Schengen Area countries using the system:

Who is affected by the EES

A "third-country national" is defined as a person who is not a citizen of any of the countries of the European Union or a citizen of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

The system includes:

• travellers requiring a short-stay visa, and

• visa-exempt travellers entering for a short stay.

Who is exempt from registration with the EES

Registration does not apply to inter alia:

• citizens of European countries using the EES, as well as Cyprus and Ireland,

• third-country nationals who are family members of EU citizens or persons of similar status, holding a residence permit,

• third-country nationals travelling as part of an intra-company transfer, study, research, volunteering, youth exchange or au pair;

• holders of residence permits or long-term visas,

• citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and holders of passports issued by the Vatican State,

• persons with diplomatic status or other border privileges,

• members of NATO armed forces and accompanying persons, in accordance with international agreements,

• persons with a permit to cross the border as part of local border traffic,

• members of international train crews,

• persons holding valid simplified transit documents.