In short: the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has replaced passport stamps with a digital record of every entry and exit made by non-EU nationals, and it has been fully operational since 10 April 2026. ETIAS is a separate, online travel authorisation that visa-exempt non-EU travellers will need before travelling to the Schengen Area once it launches. For yacht crew, EES changes how time in Schengen is recorded, not who needs a visa.
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System is the EU’s automated border register for non-EU nationals on short stays. Instead of a stamp in the passport, border officers now record the traveller’s passport details, fingerprints and facial image, together with the date and place of each entry and exit.
The system was rolled out gradually from 12 October 2025 and has been fully operational across the participating European countries since 10 April 2026. It applies to non-EU nationals, whether they need a visa or not. Holders of qualifying residence permits or long-stay visas are generally exempt from registration.
What is ETIAS, and when does it start?
ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a pre-travel authorisation for non-EU nationals who do not need a visa, such as citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or South Africa. It is applied for online and, once granted, is expected to cost €20 and be valid for three years, or until the passport expires.
The EU has scheduled ETIAS to start in the last quarter of 2026, with transition and grace periods before it becomes compulsory for everyone. The exact start date is announced on the official travel-europe.europa.eu portal, so check it before you travel.
What is the difference between EES and ETIAS?
- EES records what happens at the border: when and where a non-EU national enters or leaves the Schengen Area.
- ETIAS happens before travel: it is an authorisation that visa-exempt travellers must hold before they arrive.
- Visas do not change: crew who need a Schengen visa still need one. ETIAS does not apply to them.
How does EES work for crew joining or leaving a yacht?
For non-EU crew, the principle has not changed: what matters is whether they are inside or outside the Schengen Area, and for how long. The difference is that the record is now digital.
In practice, a crew member flying in to join a yacht is registered on arrival at the airport. When they join the vessel, they may need to report to the local immigration authority so that a crew-related departure can be recorded. The reverse happens when they sign off and fly home. Procedures vary from country to country and sometimes from port to port, so confirm them locally before the crew change.
In Monaco, border formalities for yachts are handled by the Division de Police Maritime et Aéroportuaire. In France, they are handled by the border police at the port or airport. Our Immigration & Customs team coordinates these steps with the authorities and tells you in advance what each crew member needs.
Does the 90/180-day rule still apply?
Yes. Non-EU nationals on a short stay can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. The EES now counts those days automatically, and overstays are recorded.
One practical issue: crew can no longer see their entries and exits in their passport, and only the authorities can access the EES record. Keeping your own log is the best protection.
- Keep a dated record of every entry and exit, with boarding passes and travel tickets.
- Keep your seaman’s book and any correspondence with the immigration authorities.
- Plan crew changes and sign-offs well before the 90-day limit, especially on long Mediterranean seasons.
- Tell your agent early if a crew member is close to the limit, so the itinerary can be adapted.
What should captains do now?
- Check the nationality and visa status of every crew member and regular guest.
- Identify who will need ETIAS once it launches and who still needs a visa.
- Plan crew changes with your agent before the yacht arrives, not on the day.
- Keep crew and passenger lists up to date for each port call.
Requirements depend on each person’s nationality, travel documents and itinerary, and the rules can change. If you are planning a crew change or a season in France or Monaco, contact our team and we will review your crew list with you.
Frequently asked questions
EES records each entry and exit of non-EU nationals at the Schengen border, replacing passport stamps. ETIAS is a travel authorisation that visa-exempt non-EU nationals must obtain online before travelling, once it launches. Crew who need a visa still need a visa and do not apply for ETIAS.
Non-EU crew who are visa-exempt, such as US, UK or Australian nationals, will need ETIAS once it is in force. Crew who need a Schengen visa do not apply for ETIAS. Check the official start date on travel-europe.europa.eu.
Non-EU crew are registered digitally, with fingerprints and a facial image, at their first crossing. Their entries and exits are then recorded automatically, and the 90/180-day rule is calculated by the system. Crew joining or leaving a yacht may need to report to the local immigration authority.
Yes. A yacht agent coordinates crew immigration formalities with the authorities, checks each crew member’s requirements and helps plan sign-ons and sign-offs within the rules.