EES data & privacy
The EES is a biometric system, so it is reasonable to ask exactly what it holds about you and for how long. Here is the plain-language answer - what is stored, the retention periods, and your rights.
What the EES stores
| Identity data | Name, date of birth, nationality and passport details |
|---|---|
| Facial image | A photo captured at the border |
| Fingerprints | 4 fingerprints (not taken for children under 12, or if already held from a visa application) |
| Crossing records | The date and place of each entry and exit |
| Refusals | Whether you were refused entry, and the reason |
How long it is kept
The standard retention period is 3 years from each entry, exit or refusal record. There is one important exception: if you enter and no exit is recorded - which the system reads as a possible overstay - your data can be kept for up to 5 years from the date your authorised stay expired. Recording your exit properly matters.
Your rights
EU data-protection law gives you the right to know what is held, to have inaccurate records corrected, and to have unlawfully held records deleted. You exercise these through the competent authorities of the country concerned - the official EES portal sets out how to make a request.
Because an unrecorded exit can be read as an overstay, keep your own trips straight too. The 90/180 calculator keeps a clear, private count - your data never leaves your browser.
Frequently asked questions
What data does the EES store about me?
Your passport and identity details, a facial image, 4 fingerprints, the date and place of every entry and exit, and whether you were ever refused entry. It does not store your reason for travel as biometrics - it is a record of crossings, not a full profile of your trip.
How long is EES data kept?
Each entry, exit or refusal record is kept for 3 years. If you enter but no exit is recorded - a suspected overstay - your data can be held for up to 5 years from the date your authorised stay expired.
Are children's fingerprints taken?
No. Children under 12 have their facial image recorded but are not fingerprinted. Other travellers give 4 fingerprints, unless these were already captured when applying for a short-stay visa, in which case only the facial image is taken.
What are my rights over my EES data?
Under EU data-protection law you have the right to access your EES data and to ask for inaccurate records to be corrected or unlawfully held records to be deleted. Requests go through the border or data-protection authorities of the country concerned; the official portal explains the procedure.
Sources
- Travel to Europe - Data held by the EES - verified 11 Jun 2026
- Travel to Europe - Official EES portal - verified 11 Jun 2026