What is the Entry/Exit System (EES) and what should citizens of the Republic of Moldova know?

EES (Entry/Exit System) is the EU’s new digital border management system for external borders. It records entries, exits, and refusals of entry for non-EU nationals traveling for short stays.
It gradually replaces passport stamps with electronic records and collects document data + biometrics (facial image and fingerprints), as well as the date/place of border crossing.

For citizens of the Republic of Moldova, this is directly relevant because Moldovan citizens (with biometric passports) travel visa-free to the EU/Schengen area for short stays, and EES applies to non-EU nationals entering for short stays (both visa-required and visa-exempt travelers).

What you need to know in practice

1) EES does not change your right to travel — it changes border checks

It does not cancel the visa-free regime.
The main change is that border crossings will be recorded digitally instead of using passport stamps.

2) It applies to short stays (the 90/180 rule remains)

For Moldovan citizens with biometric passports, the key rule remains:
maximum 90 days within any 180-day period, plus meeting entry conditions (purpose of trip, sufficient means, etc.).
EES helps border authorities calculate and verify this more accurately.

3) First-time registration under EES may take longer

During first registration, border control may include:

• passport scanning,

• facial image capture,

• fingerprint collection.

So waiting times may increase, especially during busy periods.

4) Rollout is gradual

EES is being introduced in phases during a transition period.
That means different border crossing points may implement it at different speeds until full deployment.

5) Children are also covered, but there is a fingerprint exception

Children under 12 are not fingerprinted, although they may still be registered in the system.

6) There are exceptions (for example, some residents)

Certain categories are exempt from EES (depending on residence status and travel documents).
The exact applicability depends on the person’s legal status and documents.

What a Moldovan citizen should prepare before traveling

1. A valid biometric passport
   In practice, it should usually be valid for at least 3 months after the planned return date.

2. Documents proving the purpose of travel (if requested at border control)
   For example:

   • accommodation booking,

   • invitation,

   • return ticket,

   • proof of funds.

3. Strict compliance with the 90/180 rule
   With EES, overstays will be easier to detect.

4. Extra time for border crossing
   Especially for coach/bus travel, land borders, and peak seasons.

What EES does NOT mean

• it is not a new visa;

• it does not grant the right to work in the EU;

• it does not replace your passport;

• it does not apply identically to everyone (there are exceptions).