European Union fully introduces the Entry/Exit System (EES)

From 10 April 2026, Member States of the European Union will begin full application of the Entry/Exit System (EES), marking the end of its gradual rollout and the transition to exclusively digital recording of crossings of the external borders of the Schengen Area.

From that date, passport stamping for third-country nationals will be discontinued, and all data on entries and exits will be recorded electronically in the EES system, the Ministry of the Interior stated.

The system automatically records the date and place of entry and exit, the duration of authorised stay, and any entry refusals. The duration of permitted stay is precisely calculated via an integrated automated calculator. This enables more accurate monitoring of stays and further enhances the security of the EU’s external borders.

The Republic of Croatia has actively participated in the implementation of the system and has been recognised and commended as one of the Member States implementing the EES in a timely, efficient manner and in line with the EU acquis, the Ministry added.

Since the start of the system’s gradual application on 12 October 2025 until 1 April 2026, more than 3.75 million records of third-country nationals have been created and verified in the EES system, confirming the high level of operational readiness of the Croatian border police.

About the EES system

The Entry/Exit System is one of the key information systems of the European Union in the field of border management, designed to modernise and improve border control for third-country nationals entering the Schengen Area for short stays.

The gradual rollout began on 12 October 2025, allowing Member States time to adapt technical systems and procedures and train staff. From 10 April 2026, the system will be fully operational in all Member States.

The implementation of the EES brings several benefits:

• strengthening the security of external borders

• more efficient migration management

• reliable monitoring of the length of stay of third-country nationals

• reduction of misuse and overstays

With the full implementation of the EES, the European Union further confirms its commitment to secure, efficient and technologically advanced external border management.

The Ministry of the Interior invites travellers to inform themselves in advance about the new border crossing procedures via the official EES website and to carry the necessary documentation when travelling, and to follow the instructions of border police officers to ensure faster and more efficient border control.

Source: Ministry of the Interior / HrTurizam