# EES Travel Checklist - Prepare Before You Fly | EESQueue

> A practical, tick-off EES checklist: what to sort before you book, before you fly and at the kiosk. Prepare for the EU Entry/Exit System with less stress.

Source: https://eesqueue.com/ees-checklist

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# EES travel checklist

Everything to sort before and during your first trip under the EU Entry/Exit System. Tick items off as you go — your progress is saved on this device.

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## Before you book

- Check your passport is a **biometric** (chipped) passport and valid for your whole trip.
- Confirm you're a non-EU national subject to EES — EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and EU residence-permit holders are exempt.
- Count your Schengen days with the [90/180 calculator](https://eesqueue.com/schengen-calculator) so you don't risk an overstay.
- Check whether [ETIAS](https://eesqueue.com/ees-vs-etias) applies to your trip (a separate online authorisation, expected from late 2026).

## Before you fly

- Check the [EES status and typical queues](https://eesqueue.com/ees-airports) at your arrival airport.
- See the [live wait times](https://eesqueue.com/ees-wait-times) and the [worst-queue airports](https://eesqueue.com/worst-ees-queues) to plan buffer time.
- Consider the official [Travel to Europe app](https://eesqueue.com/ees-app) to pre-register your passport + photo (where supported).
- Allow extra time — arrive **3–4 hours early** for your first EES trip; first-entry enrolment is the slow part.
- Have proof of onward travel and accommodation ready in case an officer asks.
- Travelling with children under 12? They give a facial image but skip fingerprints — use family lanes where available.

## At the EES kiosk

- Follow signs for "Non-EU / EES registration" — kiosks are usually before the staffed booths.
- Scan your passport, give **four fingerprints** and a **facial image** (first entry only).
- Returning within 3 years? Your biometrics are reused — expect well under a minute at the e-gates.
- Keep the printed entry receipt until you leave the Schengen Area. No passport stamp is added.
- Never refuse biometrics — it's grounds for entry refusal. Flag any medical issue to the officer instead.

Not sure how many days you can stay? That's the one to get right — use the [Schengen 90/180 calculator](https://eesqueue.com/schengen-calculator). EES now flags overstays automatically on exit.