France travel: Who will need to register in EU’s new Entry/Exit System?
The EES will affect millions of people including regular visitors - see our list for who is and who is not affected
Many visitors to France will need to be registered in the EES
Hayk_Shalunts/Shutterstock
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will affect millions of foreign travellers, including regular visitors to France. Here is who will need to register.
The EES, launching on October 12, 2025, will apply to non-EU visitors entering the Schengen area for short stays. It will replace passport stamping with automated border checks that register arrivals and departures electronically.
It is expected to be introduced in a phased manner over up to six months, so it may not be in place immediately from October 12 at all relevant border crossing points and for all relevant visitors.
Who will need to register in the EES to visit France and other Schengen countries?
Adult foreign visitors who benefit from a Schengen short-stay visa waiver and are not citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. This includes nationals from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and Japan, who may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
Children in the above category, although those under 12 will not have their fingerprints taken.
The same nationals as above even if they own property in France. Property ownership does not exempt travellers from EES registration.
The above includes non-EU/non-EEA/non-Swiss national visitors who are spouses or civil partners of EU citizens (including French people).
Foreign visitors who need a short-stay visa to enter Schengen, such as nationals from China, Russia, India, Morocco and Tunisia.
How will new EU border changes affect you?
Connexion subscribers can read our help guide to the EES and Etias for free on the Subscriber Resources page here.
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Who will not need to register in the EES to travel to France?
The following categories are exempt:
EU, EEA (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) and Swiss citizens, including people who are also nationals of a non-EU/EES/Swiss state (ie. binational). Also, nationals of Monaco, Andorra, San Marino and holders of Vatican passports.
Non-EU nationals who hold a residency card issued by an EU state or who have a long-stay visa. This includes residents of Monaco and Andorra.
Individuals exempt from border checks, including heads of state and certain cross-border workers.
Border residents with local traffic permits allowing small cross-border movements.
Crew members of international trains, both passenger and freight.
People on flights that are only transiting through the EU and who stay only in airports’ international transit zones between connecting flights in France and do not exit passport control
Holders of transit documents travelling on long-distance trains, who do not disembark within the Schengen area.
The Etias travel authorisation is due to follow next year and will also apply to short-stay ‘visa waiver’ visitors (but not people who need short-stay Schengen visas to visit).
