EU Commission clarifies: EES does not apply to holders of residence permits.

The European Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational. Since April 10, 2026, the system has replaced the previous manual passport stamping for millions of travelers at the Schengen external borders.

However, there is an important misunderstanding:

The EES does not apply to every third-country national entering Germany .

In particular, persons with a corresponding residence permit or long-term national visa from a state participating in the EES are generally not registered in the EES .

This is particularly important for people who already live in Germany or are entering Germany with a national visa.

What was the EES created for?

The Entry/Exit System is used in particular for the digital recording of short stays by third-country nationals .

Instead of relying solely on entry and exit stamps in passports, entries and exits can be recorded electronically. This involves storing information such as personal details, travel documents, and the time of entry and exit.

An important function of the system is to determine whether third-country nationals are staying in the Schengen Area longer than permitted.

For short stays, the well-known 90/180-day rule generally applies .

Holders of German residence permits are generally not affected.

Therefore, an important distinction is necessary for third-country nationals living in Germany.

For example, someone who is an American, British, Indian or Canadian national and holds a valid German residence permit will not be subject to the EES simply because they cross a Schengen external border during a trip.

Holders of corresponding residence permits from a state participating in the EES are generally exempt from the scope of EES registration.

The reason is obvious: their right of residence is not governed by the 90/180-day rule that applies to tourist or other short stays. Rather, they possess an independent right of residence based on their residence permit.

What are the rules for German D-visas?

The same applies to holders of a national visa for a longer stay – in particular a German D visa .

Such visas are issued, for example, for employment, studies, or family reunification. They are legally distinct from a Schengen visa for a short stay.

Therefore, someone entering Germany with a German national visa to take up employment is in a different situation with regard to the EES than, for example, a US tourist who travels to Germany visa-free for two weeks.

Holders of corresponding long-term visas from a state participating in the EES are generally not registered in the EES.

Does this exception mean that border controls will no longer take place?

No.

The exemption from EES registration does not mean that holders of a German residence permit or D visa can enter without border control.

The required travel documents must still be presented. Therefore, passports, visas, and residence permits may be checked upon entry.

The only distinction to be made is between normal border control and registration in the Entry/Exit System .

For whom is the EES particularly relevant?

The EES is particularly relevant for third-country nationals traveling to the Schengen Area for a short stay .

A US citizen who, for example, travels to Germany as a tourist for two weeks, generally falls within the scope of the system.

This also applies to numerous other visa-exempt third-country nationals as well as to travelers entering with a Schengen visa for a short stay.

This is to be distinguished, for example, from a US citizen who lives permanently in Berlin and has a valid German residence permit.

Nationality alone therefore does not answer the question of whether the EES applies.

The decisive factor is the residency status.

For practical purposes, one distinction is therefore particularly important:

Is the person entering for a short stay or do they already have a corresponding European residence permit or a longer-term national visa?

The EES was created specifically for the electronic registration of third-country nationals during short stays.

Therefore, it should not be assumed that in the future every third-country national will be automatically registered in the EES upon every entry into Germany.

For many international professionals, students and family members who already have a valid German residence permit or a national D visa, EES registration is generally not applicable .

VISAGUARD advises international professionals and families on German visa and residence law as well as on legal issues related to entry into Germany.

Here is the link to the EU Commission's explanation: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/news/entry-exit-system-fully-operational-10-april-2026-who-exempt-2026-07-27_en?prefLang=de