Schengen Entry/Exit System tracks traveler stay limits

The Schengen Area's new Entry/Exit System (EES) electronically records the entries, exits, and refusals of third-country nationals visiting for short stays. The system automatically calculates the number of days spent in participating countries to ensure travelers do not exceed the 90-day limit within any 180-day period.

Errors in the system can occur if an exit is not properly recorded, if data is linked to the wrong person, if a different passport was used, or due to technical difficulties at border crossings. While an incorrect EES flag is not a formal entry ban, it can trigger intensive border inspections where officials may demand proof of previous departures and documentation regarding the legal basis of the stay.

Under Regulation (EU) 2017/2226, travelers have the right to request that inaccurate, incomplete, or illegally processed data be corrected, supplemented, or deleted. The member state that entered the data is responsible for its accuracy and has the authority to amend its records. Contact details for national data protection authorities are available via the ‘Travel Europe’ website.