On April 10, 2026, the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational across all external borders of 29 Schengen countries, directly impacting Canadian travellers by automating enforcement of the 90/180 rule—limiting visa-free stays to 90 days within any 180-day period.dailyhive.comwww.eeas.europa.euwww.travelweek.ca This digital overhaul replaces traditional passport stamping with biometric scans of fingerprints and facial images, capturing personal details like name, date of birth, and entry/exit timestamps to streamline checks and curb overstays. Canadians, as non-EU nationals, must now register via self-service kiosks on their first post-implementation entry, with no advance preparation required.

The EES tracks compliance with the 90/180 rule electronically, flagging violations that could previously go unnoticed due to manual stamping errors, potentially leading to fines, deportation, or entry bans for overstays.www.canada.ca After a six-month phased rollout starting October 2025, the transition ended yesterday, mandating exclusive use of the digital system and promising more efficient, secure borders despite possible initial queues.www.nsnews.com Biometric passports are required for the kiosks, though non-biometric ones allow entry via manual processing.

Note that EES differs from the upcoming ETIAS, which will require Canadians to obtain a pre-travel authorization for a fee; EES focuses solely on recording stays during short visits. Canadian officials urge travellers, including military personnel, to verify exemptions like NATO status before departure to avoid delays.