EES and ETIAS in 2026: what residence permit holders in Portugal need to know
The EU's Entry/Exit System has been fully running since April 2026, and ETIAS is coming. Do residence permit holders in Portugal need to register or pay? What changes for your family's visits?
In this article
Short answer: if you hold a valid residence permit from Portugal or another Schengen country, you are exempt from both EES and ETIAS. EES, the EU’s digital border register, has been fully operational since 10 April 2026; residence permit holders show their card instead of registering. ETIAS, the €20 travel authorisation for visa-exempt visitors, has no confirmed start date: the official target was the last quarter of 2026, and reports since July 2026 point to a delay into 2027.
Information as of October 2026.
EES in one paragraph
The Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors on short stays at the Schengen external border. It records your name, passport, fingerprints, facial image and the dates you enter and leave, replacing passport stamps. It started in stages in October 2025 and has been fully running at all external borders since 10 April 2026.
Does EES apply to you?
| Traveller | EES registration |
|---|---|
| Non-EU national with a valid Schengen residence permit (TRC) | No, show your card |
| EU, EEA or Swiss citizen | No |
| Visitor on a short stay (visa or visa-free) | Yes, at first entry |
Tip: always show your TRC together with your passport at the border. If you do not, you may be treated as a visitor and registered by mistake.
ETIAS in one paragraph
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will require visa-exempt visitors, such as citizens of the USA, Brazil or the UK, to get an online authorisation before travelling to most Schengen countries. The fee announced is €20, and an authorisation will be valid for three years or until the passport expires.
Does ETIAS apply to you?
- No, if you hold a valid residence permit from a Schengen country.
- No, if you need a Schengen visa (the visa replaces it).
- Yes, for your visa-exempt friends and family visiting you, once ETIAS starts.
What changes for family visits
- Relatives who need a Schengen visa (for example from India, Bangladesh, Nepal or Pakistan) keep applying for a visa as before, and they are registered in EES when they arrive.
- Relatives who are visa-exempt (for example from Brazil or the USA) are registered in EES now, and will need ETIAS once it launches.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register in EES if I live in Portugal?
No, not if you hold a valid residence permit. Show it with your passport at the border.
When does ETIAS start?
There is no confirmed date as of October 2026. The EU says it will announce the date several months in advance; reports point to 2027.
How much will ETIAS cost?
€20, according to the EU, with exemptions for some age groups.
Is ETIAS a visa?
No. It is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers, similar to the US ESTA or the UK ETA.
Sources
This article is general information. Rules change: before you apply, our team confirms what applies to you.
