The European travel landscape has undergone a massive transformation this year. If you are planning a trip to Europe, you must navigate a completely modernized border control framework. From 10 April 2026, the European Union’s (EU) new Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational. This marks the beginning of a highly digitalized era for the Schengen Area, impacting how you apply for a visa and how you cross the border.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is Now Live

The most immediate change for travelers in 2026 is the activation of the EES. This new digital border system changes the requirements for citizens travelling to the Schengen area. The EES replaces the current system of manually stamping passports and will enable electronic monitoring of each entry and exit and the length of stay.

When you arrive at a participating European country, you must expect to undergo biometric registration. Border officers will collect the following data:

• A photo of your face.

• Scans of your fingerprints.

• Information from your travel documents, such as your full name, nationality, and passport expiry date.

• The exact place, time, date and purpose of each Schengen Area entry and exit.

Once you have fully registered, you won’t need to do the full check each time, as long as you travel within three years of first registering and/or your passport is the same.

The Transition to Digital Schengen Visas

In addition to modernized borders, the visa application process itself is shifting online. The European Union has approved changes to digitalize the Schengen Visa application process through the EU Visa Application Platform (EU VAP). While the full digitalization won’t be complete until 2027, 2026 marks the beginning of this transition. For example, Italy is the first large Schengen state to commit to a fully paper-free system, processing visas through one government portal starting 1 June 2026.

Under the new model, the physical visa sticker is being replaced by a digital visa. Upon approval, you’ll receive a digital visa barcode. This barcode is cryptographically signed and is far harder to forge or steal.

ETIAS: Coming Late 2026

For travelers who do not require a Schengen visa, another major update is on the horizon. The ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is the EU’s new travel authorisation. It is currently expected to come on line in the last quarter of 2026. Once implemented, visa-exempt travelers will need to apply for an ETIAS online prior to travel.

At Merinatt Travels, we ensure our clients are fully prepared for these new digital protocols, from compiling flawless digital documents to advising on the new biometric border requirements.