EU's new Entry/Exit System is now fully operational. If you're planning an au pair stay in Europe, here's everything you need to know before you board your flight.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES): What Au Pairs Need to Know
What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?
Europe's borders just got a major digital upgrade. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new automated border management system that became fully operational on 10 April 2026 across 29 Schengen Area countries.
In simple terms: the old passport stamp is gone. Instead, every time a non-EU national comes into or out of the Schengen Area, the system digitally records their entry, their exit and how many days they've spent in Europe.
The information in this article is based on the EU’s official guidance on the Entry/Exit System. You can find the latest details on the official EU EES website.
Does EES apply to au pairs?
For au pairs arriving from outside the EU, the most important factors are your nationality, the length of your stay and the type of visa or residence permit you hold.
EES may apply to you if you are:
- A non-EU national entering a Schengen country
- Staying for a short stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period
- Entering without a long-stay visa or residence permit
If you already hold a long-stay visa or residence permit, or you are a citizen of an EU or Schengen member state, you are exempt from EES, but you will still go through standard document checks at the border as normal.
How does EES work?
The EES registration happens automatically at the border when you arrive. You do not need to sign up, apply, or pay for anything in advance. If EES applies to you, here’s what to expect once you land:
Step 1: Join the Non-EU Passport Queue - Head to the border control lane for non-EU/non-Schengen travellers.
Step 2: Complete your Registration - On your very first entry, you'll need to complete a full biometric registration.This involves:
- Scanning your passport (at a self-service kiosk or staffed counter)
- Facial image capture (a photo is taken of your face)
- Fingerprint scan (four fingerprints — not required for children under 12)
- Answering a few entry questions (like purpose of visit, return date, address where you're staying).
TIP: Bring the address of your host family! You will likely be asked for it.
Now you’re all set!
Your biometric data is stored in the EES database for three years from your last entry/exit. This means future border crossings will be much quicker — the system already knows who you are. When you leave the Schengen Area at the end of your placement, your exit is also recorded. This is how the system tracks the 90/180-day rule and ensures no one overstays.
Important: If you have already spent time in the Schengen Area within the last 180 days, those days count toward your 90-day limit.
Does EES affect travel within Europe?
If you are planning to travel within Europe whilst you are au pairing, don’t worry: EES does not apply to travel between countries within the Schengen Area.
You only go through the EES process when you cross an external Schengen border. This means when you first enter the Schengen Area from outside, or when you leave the Schengen Area entirely.
However, there are a few situations where EES could apply during your au pair stay:
- Travelling to or from Ireland, Cyprus or the UK: These countries are not part of the Schengen Area. Crossing these borders counts as leaving or re-entering the Schengen Area, so your exit or re-entry may be recorded.
- Going home for a visit and coming back: If you leave the Schengen Area during your placement and return later, both your exit and re-entry will be logged.
For au pairs with a long-stay visa or residence permit, EES is usually not a concern. It does not apply to you, and you can travel in and out of the Schengen Area according to the conditions of your visa or residence permit.