Preparing for the Schengen Entry/Exit System: What the 2023 Updates Mean for Foreign Travelers

On 5 December 2023, updated EU regulations governing the implementation timeline and operational framework of the Entry/Exit System (EES) were published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The EES is an EU-wide biometric border control system that will replace manual passport stamping for third-country nationals entering and exiting the Schengen Area. Although the system had faced repeated delays since 2021, the 2023 update clarified technical requirements and established a renewed deployment schedule.

The EES will record the date and location of entry and exit, as well as biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and facial recognition. The system will automatically calculate authorised stays within the 90/180-day rule. Travellers who exceed permitted periods will be flagged, and overstays will become significantly easier for authorities to detect.

For foreign nationals from the US, UK, Canada, Brazil, Israel and other visa-exempt countries, the Entry/Exit System represents a major shift. Instead of relying on manual passport stamps—which could be illegible, missing or inconsistent—the EES introduces a precise digital log of travel movements. This will be particularly important for digital nomads, retirees on exploratory visits, and property owners who frequently travel in and out of Portugal.

The system does not affect residency permit holders in Portugal directly, as residence cards permit free movement independently of the 90/180-day rule. However, non-resident property owners, long-stay tourists and those considering relocation must now be more disciplined in tracking stays.

The EES also complements the upcoming ETIAS travel authorisation system, expected to go live after EES implementation.

Official source: Official Journal of the European Union, EES regulatory updates published 5 December 2023 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu)