If you are a national of a non-EU country you will now normally need to have your passport scanned, photo taken and fingerprints scanned at the Dutch border. This is so your details can be registered in the European Entry/Exit System (EES). You will no longer receive a stamp in your passport.

Who needs to be registered in the EES?

You will need to be registered in the EES if all of the following conditions apply to you:

  • you are a national of a country that is not a member of the European Union (read which countries are in the European Union).
  • you are not a national of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland (Schengen area countries that are not EU member states).
  • you do not hold a residence permit or long-stay visa for the Netherlands.
  • you wish to stay in the EU for no more than 90 days in an 180-day period, or you wish to leave the EU.

Who does not need to be registered in the EES?

Find out who does not need to be registered in the EES (EU website).

Having your photo taken and fingerprints scanned

When you arrive at the Dutch border, the Royal Military and Border Police (Koninklijke Marechaussee) will register your passport details, fingerprints and photo in the European Entry/Exit System (EES).

Using a self-service machine

Sometimes, you can use a self-service machine to register your photo, fingerprints and passport details yourself. This is possible at Schiphol Airport, for example.

Please note: the self-service machines cannot be used by children under 12 and people with certain disabilities. In these cases the Royal Military and Border Police (Koninklijke Marechaussee) will need to register passport details, fingerprints and photos.

After using the self-service machines, nationals of some countries can proceed to eGates

Once you have completed registration using the self-service machines, you may be able to proceed to self-service passport control (eGates). Find out which nationalities can use eGates on the website of the Royal Military and Border Police (Koninklijke Marechaussee).

Pre-registration using the Travel to Europe mobile app not yet possible

It is not yet possible to register your passport details and photo in advance using an app when travelling to the Netherlands This will likely become possible in 2027. Find out more about the Travel to Europe app and which countries are using it (European Union website).

Check how long you can stay in the EU if you are registered in the EES

If you are registered in the EES, you can check online how long you can stay in the EU (European Union website). This is one of the advantages of the EES (EU website).

See also