What information is collected on registration

There is a big difference between the first time you cross a Schengen area frontier where the entry-exit system is in operation and subsequent entries and exits.

•  Initial crossing: Registration of your personal details almost all taken from your passport, fingerprints (not for under-12s) as well as a facial biometric (for all, including under-12s).
• Subsequent entries and exits:     Facial biometric only. 

The pre-registration devices make it possible to collect the data needed to create and update your EES file:

• The data contained in the travel document(s): name; first name; date of birth; place of birth; gender; nationality; number of the travel document; three-letter code of the country of issue of the travel document; date of expiry of the travel document
• The place, time and date of crossing the border: on entering and leaving the Schengen area
• The traveller’s biometric data: facial biometrics (facial image) and digital biometrics (fingerprints of the right hand, or failing that of the left hand – except for minors under 12 years of age)

As the use of the pre-registration system is not mandatory, the traveller is free to go directly to a booth to have his/her data recorded by a border guard, in accordance with the obligations laid down in European Regulation 2017/2226 establishing the EES system. If the traveller refuses the collection of his/her biometric data, he/she will be refused entry into the Schengen territory.

To be able to use pre-registration devices, the traveler must have a valid biometric passport (containing a chip).

For minors under the age of 12:

Accompanied minors may use pre-registration devices. If applicable, depending on the device used:

• the kiosk does not capture any biometrics (the facial image of the minor will be taken at the control post)
• the tablet only captures facial biometrics

Unaccompanied minors are not entitled to use pre-registration devices. The actions necessary to create and update their EES file will be carried out directly at the border control post by a border guard.

On the first registration, travellers must submit to fingerprint checks and provide a facial biometric. On subsequent visits within three years, only a facial biometric will be taken. Additional questions may be asked, such as your destination, although it is likely that these will not happen in the initial implementation period to avoid even more delays than may arise from the recording of passport and biometric details.

Each new visit triggers another three years of validity of the initial registration. In other words, if you don’t cross a Schengen area frontier for three years, you will need to register again.

Steps for pre-registration in the EES system

If the traveller goes to a kiosk for pre-registration, then he/she must accomplish the following steps:

1. Present yourself alone in front of the kiosk

2. Click on the home screen to start your pre-registration and follow the instructions

3. Fill in the form about the traveller and your trip

4. Place your passport on the photo page at the top left of the reader and hold the document on the reader until the device informs you that the capture is successful. Depending on your situation, you may be asked to scan the visa you have

5. Prepare to take your facial image: remove your glasses, scarf, hat and mask

6. Stand in front of the camera in order to take the photo

7. Prepare for the registration of your fingerprints: press the four fingers of your right hand on the reader. If it is not possible to use the right hand, you can use the left hand

8. At the end of your pre-registration, the kiosk screen will direct you to the rest of the route to complete your border crossing

During the pre-registration stage at the kiosk, guidance officers are available to assist and guide travellers in case of difficulty.

If the traveller uses a tablet for pre-registration, then he/she must accomplish the following steps:

1. Introduce yourself to a guidance officer equipped with a tablet, in charge of helping you to make your pre-registration

2. Answer the staff member’s questions about your personal situation and the reason of your trip

3. Present your passport to the officer, who will read the MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) band and the chip of your document. Depending on your situation, you may be asked to scan the visa you have

4. Prepare to take your facial image: remove your glasses, scarf, hat and mask

5. The officer using the tablet will take a picture of your face

6. Prepare for the registration of your fingerprints: press the four fingers of your right hand on the reader indicated by the staff member. If it is not possible to use the right hand, you can use the left hand

7. At the end of your pre-registration, the kiosk screen will direct you to the rest of the route to complete your border crossing