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EU Entry/Exit System (EES): What NZ Travellers Need to Know Before Flying to Europe

Key points for New Zealand travellers:

  • As of 12 October 2025, Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is in place for all non-EU visitors, including New Zealand passport holders.

  • The system replaces the traditional passport stamp with a digital border record that uses biometric checks such as fingerprints and a facial scan.

  • It applies to short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, including popular destinations like France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Greece.

  • First-time arrivals may notice slightly longer border processing while their details are recorded, but once registered, future trips through Europe will be quicker.

What Is the EES and Why Does It Matter for New Zealanders?

If you’re a Kiwi heading to Europe for a long-awaited adventure, the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) changes how you enter and leave Europe. Instead of receiving a passport stamp, your entry and exit will now be digitally recorded. 

The system logs:

  • Your passport details, the date, time, and place of entry and exit, and biometric information, a facial image and four fingerprints.

This upgrade aims to make border crossings faster, safer, and more consistent, while automatically tracking the 90-days-in-any-180-day rule for short stays in Schengen countries. For New Zealand travellers, that means fewer stamps, faster future entries, and a clearer travel record every time you fly into or out of Europe.

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When Did the Europe EES Start?

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) officially launched on 12 October 2025, marking the beginning of a new digital era for border management across Europe.

Since then, all non-EU visitors, including New Zealand passport holders, have been processed through the new system when entering or leaving the Schengen Area. Instead of a passport stamp, travellers complete a biometric check, where fingerprints and a facial scan are securely linked to their passport. This is a one-time process, and from here, your details are saved in the EES database, meaning your future trips become faster and easier.

Which Countries Does the European Entry/Exit System (EES) Cover?

The EES operates at the external borders of all Schengen Area countries, so it applies to every New Zealander entering or leaving the region for a short stay (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).

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Countries using the EES include:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

If you’re flying from New Zealand, you’ll complete your EES registration when you first arrive in a Schengen country, even if you connect through Singapore, Dubai, Doha, or Bangkok on the way.

How Does It Affect New Zealanders Visiting Europe?

New Zealanders can still visit Europe visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days. That rule hasn’t changed. What’s new is the digital entry process.

Here’s what happens when you arrive:

  • Scan your passport at a self-service kiosk or with a border officer.

  • Provide your biometrics, fingerprints and a facial image, the first time you travel under the new system.

  • The EES then records your entry and exit electronically, so there’s no more manual stamping.

  • Once your data is captured, you’re recognised automatically at future entries, helping to make travel faster, safer, and more efficient.

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Plan Your European Journey With Confidence

Whether you’re dreaming of a gondola ride in Venice, tapas in Barcelona, or Christmas markets in Vienna, Mix & Match can help you plan every detail, including flights, connections, and stopovers, so your trip runs smoothly from take-off to touchdown.

Ready to Explore Europe?

With Europe’s new digital border system now active, travelling is evolving, and a little preparation goes a long way. Mix & Match makes it easy to plan your journey with flexible flights, smart stopovers, and great-value fares from New Zealand to Europe. Start your next adventure with confidence, your European getaway begins the moment you book

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