Portugal news explained

The Lisboeta

Full list of people exempt from Entry/Exit System travel rules - Liverpool Echo

Monday, 2 March 2026RSS

🛂 Immigration 🏛️ Government #entry-exit-system #schengen #biometric-registration #travel-rules

Full list of people exempt from Entry/Exit System travel rules - Liverpool Echo

The article from Liverpool Echo discusses the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is set to replace physical passport stamps for non-EU visitors traveling to Schengen Area countries, including Portugal. The EES will electronically register entries and exits of non-EU nationals and is being phased in, with full implementation expected by April 2026.

Travelers may need to register biometric details, such as fingerprints and photos, upon their first entry into a Schengen country. Children under 12 will not have their fingerprints taken but may have their photos captured. The EES aims to enhance border security and track travelers to prevent overstaying and misuse of visa-free travel.

The article also outlines exemptions from the EES, including certain train travelers, crew members, and nationals from specific countries like Andorra and Monaco.

Context & Explainers

The Entry-Exit System (Sistema de Entrada e Saída) is an EU border-register that records biometric data (fingerprints and a facial image) and travel details for short-stay non‑EU travellers, replacing passport stamping and creating a searchable entry/exit record. According to recent reporting, the new rules now require over a third of non‑EU nationals entering Schengen to provide this extra data at the border; the aim is to improve security and migration tracking, but travellers should be prepared to submit biometrics at kiosks or border control and ensure their travel documents are valid. For expats and visitors this usually means slightly longer checks on arrival/departure and more robust digital records of your travel history.

View full article on liverpoolecho.co.uk