As the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) settles into its first full year of operation, a new concern has emerged: travellers whose departures from the Schengen area are not being logged, causing the system to wrongly accuse them of overstaying. The issue, flagged by UK consumer group Which?, could affect thousands of visitors who have no idea their records are incomplete until they hit a border.
The EES, which replaced passport stamping for non-EU nationals, became mandatory across 29 countries on 10 April 2025. It applies to all EU member states except Cyprus and Ireland, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The system is designed to automatically track the 90-day limit within any 180-day period, a rule that applies to citizens of many non-EU countries, including the UK.
But glitches are emerging. Some travellers are leaving the Schengen zone without their exit being registered, meaning their cumulative days continue to accrue even after they have flown home. Because the EES does not send direct notifications, the first sign of trouble often comes at a border crossing, as British author Jojo Moyes discovered in October. After a visit to Portugal in May, she arrived in Marseille to find her exit had never been recorded. Officials warned her that a return before the error was corrected could result in a €10,000 fine and a two-year entry ban.
Which? reports that dozens of readers have shared similar experiences, suggesting the problem is not isolated. The consequences can be severe, from fines and bans to lengthy interrogations at passport control. For frequent travellers, even a single missed exit can distort their entire 180-day calculation, making it appear they have exceeded the limit when they have not.
How to check your EES record
The EES website offers a self-service tool where travellers can view how many days they have spent in the Schengen zone over the past 180 days. This is the same feature that has become known as the Schengen shuffle among frequent visitors. If the data looks wrong—for instance, showing more days than you actually spent, or displaying an 'incomplete data' message—you should act promptly.
The first step is to identify the country where the error likely occurred. That would be the member state from which you believe your exit was not recorded. Each country has a designated Data Controller, a list of which is available on the EES website. Contacting the relevant Data Controller is the official route to have your records corrected. Be prepared to provide evidence of your travel, such as boarding passes, hotel bookings, or passport stamps from before the EES rollout.
While the system is meant to streamline border checks, its teething problems have already caused significant delays at various entry points, leading some countries to relax procedures to ease queues. The overstay issue adds another layer of frustration, particularly for British travellers who now face stricter scrutiny after Brexit.
For those planning trips, it may be wise to check your EES record before you travel, especially if you have visited the Schengen area multiple times in the past six months. Keeping a personal log of entry and exit dates can also help you spot discrepancies early. If you do encounter a problem, do not ignore it—errors are easier to fix while you are still in the Schengen zone or before your next departure.
The European Commission has acknowledged the teething issues but insists the system will improve over time. In the meantime, travellers are advised to stay vigilant and proactive. As the EES becomes a permanent fixture of European travel, understanding how to navigate its quirks is essential for avoiding unnecessary penalties.
