Reports of departures going unrecorded despite travellers leaving Europe as scheduled, while EU rules allow passengers to request corrections by providing passports and proof of departure.
Brussels – European Union – Al Rehla
Reports of errors in the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) have raised concerns among non-EU travellers after some individuals were incorrectly recorded as having exceeded the permitted length of stay in the Schengen Area, despite having departed before their authorised stay expired.
On November 10, 2026, British consumer protection organisation Which? revealed that it had received dozens of reports involving inaccurate entry or exit records, warning that affected travellers could face difficulties when crossing European borders again if the information is not corrected.
Unrecorded Departures Cause Problems at Border Controls
Among the cases documented by the organisation was British novelist Jojo Moyes, who discovered while travelling through Marseille Airport in October that her records indicated she had overstayed.
According to her account, an earlier departure from Portugal in May had not been correctly recorded, despite her having spent only 23 days in the Schengen Area during the preceding six months.
European authorities have not published a comprehensive official figure for the number of affected travellers, nor has a single technical cause been established for all reported errors.
How Does the European Entry/Exit System Work?
The EES began its phased introduction on October 12, 2025, and became fully operational on April 10, 2026, at the external borders of the 29 participating European countries.
The system electronically records the entry and exit of non-EU travellers covered by short-stay rules, along with passport information and biometric data.
It is designed to monitor compliance with the rule generally allowing stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
What Should Travellers Do If Their Records Are Incorrect?
Travellers can use the official EES online stay calculator to check their remaining permitted stay or seek clarification from the relevant border authorities.
If information appears inaccurate or incomplete, travellers have the right to request a review and correction from the authority responsible for processing the data in the European country concerned.
The request may require a passport copy and evidence of departure, such as boarding passes or transport tickets. Additional documentation may be requested depending on the circumstances.
Al Rehla Perspective | How Can Travellers Protect Their Travel Records?
Al Rehla advises travellers visiting the Schengen Area, particularly frequent visitors, to retain electronic copies of boarding passes, flight confirmations and records of their actual entry and departure dates.
Checking the remaining permitted stay before booking another trip can also help identify potential discrepancies before reaching the airport.
Travellers who discover an error should contact the relevant authorities promptly and retain copies of their correction requests, correspondence and supporting documents.
An inaccurate record does not automatically establish an immigration violation. However, correcting the information may require a formal review, and travel documents alone do not guarantee that the error will be resolved automatically.
The key precaution is to rely on official European channels and retain clear evidence of completed journeys, rather than depending solely on booking records held by airlines or travel agencies.
Comments (0)
Be the first to share your thoughts on this story.