The new European border system is designed to automatically record when each tourist enters and exits. However, recent reports from the UK reveal a troubling glitch: passengers who have already returned home still appeared in the system as if they were in Europe. Since April 2026, the new European Entry/Exit System, EES, has been fully operational. The system replaces traditional passport stamps and digitally records the entry and exit of tourists who are not EU citizens. It collects passport details, date and place of entry and exit, facial images, and fingerprints. Using this information, the system calculates how many days each traveler has stayed in the Schengen area and whether they have complied with the 90 days within a 180-day period limit. But what happens when the entry is recorded and the exit is not?
Passengers Left Europe – But the System Thought They Were Still There
Media outlets in the UK reported on passengers who left European countries, but their exit was not properly recorded in the new system. In some cases, the glitch was only discovered when passengers tried to re-enter the Schengen area. According to the digital record, they had never left Europe – and thus their allowable days continued to be counted. The issue was reported particularly after biometric checks were temporarily suspended at busy airports to shorten queues. When passengers crossed the border without their exit being recorded in the system, they were left without a passport stamp and without proper digital documentation. Passengers reported having to present flight confirmations and additional documents to prove they had not overstayed in Europe.
Is This Relevant for Israelis?
Yes. The EES system is intended for tourists who are not EU citizens and are visiting participating countries for a short stay, so it also applies to most Israeli passport holders. The system operates in 29 European countries, including very popular destinations among Israelis such as Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. It also operates in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, even though they are not EU members. Cyprus and Ireland do not use the system. Israelis who also hold European citizenship and enter using their European passport are not supposed to be registered as non-EU tourists. The current reports mainly concern British travelers, and no special warning has been issued for Israelis. However, since Israelis also use the same digital system, it is advisable to be aware of the issue and keep simple proof of the departure date.
Documents Worth Keeping After Returning
There is no need to print a whole file of documents from every trip. In most cases, it will suffice to keep a few items on your phone or email:
- Boarding pass from the return flight
- Booking confirmation including the return date
- Notification from the airline confirming the flight departed or was completed
- Receipt for a purchase made at the airport on the day of departure, if available
- Train or ferry ticket in case of departure from the Schengen area by land or sea
The boarding pass is the most important document, but it does not always prove on its own that the passenger actually boarded the flight. Therefore, it is advisable to also keep the booking confirmation and airline notifications. It is recommended to keep the documents at least until the next trip to Europe – especially if you travel there frequently or are approaching the 90-day limit.
How Can You Know If the Exit Was Not Recorded?
The European Union operates an online tool through which tourists can check how many days of stay remain according to the system’s data. The tool may also indicate if the next entry is allowed based on existing records. If the system shows a number of days that does not match your travel history, it is advisable not to ignore it. You should contact the border authority in the relevant country and request to check or correct the record, presenting documents proving the departure date. Even if the issue is discovered only at the border check on the next trip, the flight ticket and return confirmation can help quickly explain that it is a glitch and not an illegal stay.
Why Were There Long Queues?
On the first entry into the Schengen area after the system’s activation, the traveler may be required to have their photo taken and fingerprints collected. On subsequent visits, the data should already be stored, and the process is expected to be quicker. However, some airports reported technical glitches, inconsistent implementation, and prolonged queues. In some cases, the use of the system was temporarily halted to allow passengers to pass through more quickly. It is important to remember that the system is still relatively new. Most travelers pass through without issue, but the adjustment period also reveals cases where the registration does not occur as planned.
Don’t Confuse EES with ETIAS
EES is a border registration system. There is no need to register for it in advance or pay for it online. The data is collected during passport control. ETIAS, on the other hand, is a separate travel authorization planned for tourists from visa-exempt countries. European authorities warn against websites attempting to sell authorizations before the official system opens. Therefore, if any website asks you to pay to “register for EES,” it is a warning sign. Join the Flight and Deal Groups of Flight Hunter: The information is sourced from across the web and may change. It is recommended to check the updated guidelines on the official European Union website before traveling. Flight Hunter
