EES and ETIAS: What Gulf Travelers Should Know
Many travellers confuse two new European systems: the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is already running at the borders, and the travel authorisation ETIAS, which has not started. The difference matters for Gulf travellers, because one may concern you and the other does not.
Here, from Almorad, a visa office in Riyadh, we summarise what the official European bodies publish, as we checked in October 2026. These systems can change, so contact us to confirm the latest updates before you apply or travel.
Is your file ready to submit?
Most refusals come from one small detail in the file. Send us your destination and travel dates and we will review your documents before you apply.
Check your file on WhatsAppVisa servicesEES versus ETIAS
| Item | EES (Entry/Exit System) | ETIAS (travel authorisation) |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Electronic registration of traveller data when crossing the border. | An electronic travel authorisation requested before travel. |
| Who it covers | Non-EU nationals on a short stay, whether they hold a visa or are visa-exempt. | Visa-exempt travellers only. |
| Published status | Fully operational since 10 April 2026. | Not currently in operation, and no applications are collected. |
EES: what changes at the border
The European Commission publishes that the system started progressively on 12 October 2025 and became fully operational on 10 April 2026. It registers non-EU nationals arriving for a short stay at the external borders of 29 European countries, replaces passport stamping and automatically detects overstays.
According to the official FAQ, the system covers people who hold a short-stay visa and people who do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A Schengen visa holder is therefore covered.
What data is recorded?
- Travel document data and your personal data, plus your entry and exit dates.
- For visa holders: only the facial image, because their fingerprints were already registered when they applied for the visa.
- For those who need no visa: four fingerprints and the facial image.
- Fingerprints of children under 12 are currently not scanned, even if they are covered by the system.
The system also records overstays and refusals of entry. The 90 days in any 180 days are calculated as a single period for all the European countries using the system.
The FAQ also notes that travellers may use a self-service system to register when crossing, if it is available at the border crossing.
Does ETIAS apply to Saudis and residents?
The official page on who should apply for ETIAS describes it as the authorisation for visa-exempt travellers to 30 European countries. Among Gulf states, only the United Arab Emirates appears in the list of covered nationalities, and Saudi Arabia does not.
Saudi nationals need a Schengen visa under Regulation 2018/1806, so ETIAS does not apply to them. For a resident of Saudi Arabia it depends on nationality: if it is on the visa-exempt list, ETIAS may be required once it starts, and otherwise a visa application applies.
When we checked in October 2026, the official ETIAS page said the system is not in operation and no applications are collected, and that the EU will announce the start date several months before launch. The page gives an application fee of EUR 20. Check the same page before you apply, because these details may change.
What this means for your visa
EES does not remove the need for a visa. A visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry, and entry conditions are checked again at the border, as the application form in the EU Visa Code states. Your visa file stays the same, and registration at the border is added to it.
These are practical tips from our experience, not official requirements:
- Travel with the same passport that carries the visa, and make sure it is valid.
- Allow extra time on your first entry, as registration may take longer than a traditional stamp.
- Respect the visa period and the 90-in-180-day rule, because the system detects overstays automatically.
- Pick the right country to apply to, as we explain in how to choose the country to apply to.
- Read why Schengen visas get refused before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need ETIAS to travel to Europe on a Saudi passport?
No, according to the official pages when we checked. ETIAS is for visa-exempt travellers, and Saudis apply for a Schengen visa. The system is not in operation at present anyway.
Is a Schengen visa holder registered in EES?
Yes. The system covers people who hold a short-stay visa, according to the official FAQ.
Are my fingerprints taken if I have a visa?
According to the official FAQ, the system stores only the facial image of a visa holder, because their fingerprints were registered when they applied for the visa.
When did EES start?
It started progressively on 12 October 2025 and became fully operational on 10 April 2026, as the European Commission publishes.
Does Almorad issue the visa?
No, the embassy makes the decision. We help you prepare and review your file, book the appointment and follow up until you receive the decision.
Prepare Your File With Almorad
If you are planning a trip to the Schengen area and want your file reviewed before you apply, see our Schengen tourist visa service or our other visa services, or message us on WhatsApp and tell us your destination and travel dates.
Let us prepare your file with you
We review your documents, arrange your appointment and put the full file together, which reduces the chance of a refusal caused by a missing or incorrect document.
Start on WhatsAppVisa servicesOfficial Sources
- FAQs about EES - Travel to Europe — who is registered and what data
- Entry/Exit System - European Commission — operation dates
- Who should apply for ETIAS — covered nationalities and system status
- Regulation 2018/1806 — countries whose citizens need a visa
