Glossary

Key terms travellers often mix up when they read about ETIAS, EES and Schengen short stays.

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Last updated: 2026-03-07

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Core definitions

ETIAS: a planned travel authorisation for certain visa-exempt travellers, not a visa.
EES: the Entry/Exit System used for certain short-stay border processes in participating countries.
Schengen area: the group of countries applying Schengen border rules in the relevant context.
90/180 rule: the common short-stay limit of 90 days in any rolling 180-day period in typical Schengen short-stay scenarios.