The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania informs Albanian citizens that starting April 10, 2026, the European Entry/Exit System (EES) will be fully operational in the 29 Schengen countries. This system replaces the manual passport stamping with electronic registration of entries and exits for travelers from non-EU countries.
The EES, partially implemented since October 2025, applies to all travelers staying for short-term visits (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) in the Schengen area.
Key points for travelers:
- First entry after April 10, 2026: border authorities will register:
- Passport data
- Facial photo
- Fingerprints
- Refusal to provide biometric data will result in denied entry to the Schengen area.
- Initial implementation may cause delays at airports, seaports, and land border crossings; travelers are advised to arrive earlier.
- Passports must be valid and in good physical condition.
- No prior application is required; registration occurs at the border crossing.
- The existing rule of stay remains unchanged: maximum 90 days in any 180-day period.
The Ministry recommends citizens familiarize themselves with the new procedures and plan their trips considering the additional time needed for border checks.
For more information, citizens can consult the official EU page for EES.
