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Schengen travel update
Schengen Travel from Pakistan in 2026/27: EES Fingerprints at the Border, ETIAS and What Changes at the Airport
Your Schengen visa gets you on the plane, but the border is where your trip is really checked. Since April 2026 Europe records every short stay visitor’s fingerprints and photo in a new digital system called EES.
90 in 180the Schengen short stay limit, now counted by EES at the border
4 fingerprintsplus a face photo, taken at your first EES entry
3 yearshow long your EES record is kept
ETIASnot for Pakistani visa holders, you already hold a visa
What EES is
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is the European Union’s digital border register. The European Commission confirmed it has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. For each non EU short stay traveller it records:
- your passport details
- your fingerprints and a facial image
- the date and place of every entry and exit
This replaces manual passport stamps over time. Because entries and exits are recorded automatically, the system also calculates your 90 days in any 180 day period. Overstaying by even a day is now recorded digitally and can count against future visa applications.
Who is registered and who is not
- Registered: Pakistani nationals travelling on a short stay Schengen visa (tourist, family visit, business, short course).
- Not registered: holders of a long stay visa or a residence permit issued by a country that operates EES. So a Pakistani student in France on a long stay student visa is not registered on entry to France.
- Also not registered: non EU family members of EU citizens who hold a residence card.
Note for Cyprus and Ireland: the Commission says permits issued by Cyprus and Ireland do not give this exemption, because those countries do not operate EES.
Not sure how this applies to you?Send us your details and a Westside adviser will tell you honestly where you stand. Free 30 minute assessment.
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What happens at the airport
- First entry: expect a longer check. An officer or a self service kiosk takes your fingerprints and photo and scans your passport.
- Later entries: the system recognises you, so checks should be quicker.
- Every exit: your exit is recorded too. Leave on time.
Queues are possible. It was reported in September 2026 that France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland were running EES only partly at some borders, with queues of up to three hours where equipment failed. This has not been officially confirmed, but allow extra time for connections, especially on your first entry.
Not sure how this applies to your case?
Send us your question on WhatsApp. A Westside adviser in DHA Lahore will reply, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00.
Ask on WhatsAppETIAS: why it does not apply to you
ETIAS is a separate online travel authorisation, planned for late 2026, for travellers who do not need a Schengen visa (for example British or American citizens). Pakistani passport holders need a Schengen visa, so ETIAS does not apply to them. Be careful of websites that try to sell Pakistanis an “ETIAS” as well as a visa.
Tips for a smooth entry
- Carry printed copies of your hotel booking, return ticket, travel insurance and invitation letter. Border officers can still ask for them.
- Enter first through the country that issued your visa, or the country of your main stay, as stated in your application.
- Count your days carefully if you hold a multiple entry visa. EES will count them for the officer.
- Keep your passport undamaged. Scanning problems slow everything down.
- Students going to France on a long stay visa: bring your acceptance letter and visa confirmation. See our France student visa guide and the France student visa interview guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pakistanis need ETIAS to visit Europe?
No. ETIAS is only for travellers who do not need a visa. Pakistani nationals need a Schengen visa, and EES registration happens at the border.
Will my fingerprints be taken at a Schengen border?
Yes, if you travel on a short stay Schengen visa. Since 10 April 2026 the Entry/Exit System records fingerprints and a facial image for non EU short stay travellers.
Is a Pakistani student with a French long stay visa registered in EES?
No. Holders of long stay visas or residence permits issued by countries operating EES are not recorded in the system.
Do I still get a passport stamp?
EES is designed to replace manual stamping. Where it is fully running, your entry and exit are recorded digitally instead.
Official sources to check
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Talk to a Westside adviser
Visit us at First Floor, 22 A, Sector A, Phase 5, DHA Lahore, Monday to Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00, or message us any time.
This guide is general information from Westside Visa Consultants, not legal advice. Visa rules change often, so always confirm the latest position on the official government website before you apply.
Reviewed by WestsideWritten by our advisers in DHA Lahore and checked against official sources. Founded by Mujtaba Maharvi, UK practice since 2003.
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