Travel Information

Travel Information

Travel to Europe Just Changed.
Here’s What You Need to Know.

A clear guide for Fashion Week travelers — students and professionals — heading to Milan, Florence, Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Paris.

  • EES stands for Entry/Exit System. It is the EU’s new digital border system that replaced the passport stamp on April 10, 2026. Every American traveling to Europe for a short stay — including Fashion Week — will go through it.

  • When you arrive in Europe, border control will:

    • Scan your passport

    • Take a photo of your face

    • Scan your fingerprints

    That’s it. This replaces the old stamp. Your data is stored securely in the EU system for three years.

  • No. There is nothing to prepare, no forms to fill out, no fees to pay, and no approval needed. Just arrive with a valid passport.

  • Your first time through, allow an extra 30 to 60 minutes at the border. After that, your biometrics are on file and future entries are faster.

  • Yes — and it’s optional. The EU’s free “Travel to Europe” app lets you pre-load your passport information up to 72 hours before you arrive. It can help speed up your border crossing but is not required.

  • These are two separate systems that often get confused.

    EES — Active now. Happens at the border automatically. No cost, no pre-registration.

    ETIAS — Not active yet. Expected late 2026. This will be a pre-travel authorization (similar to the US ESTA) that you apply for online before your trip. You do NOT need this for Fashion Week travel this year.

  • Some websites are charging travelers for “EES registration.” This is a scam. EES is always free and is processed at the border — you cannot and do not need to register in advance through any third-party site.

    Bottom Line: Pack your bags. Bring your passport. Arrive early for your first border crossing. Everything else happens automatically.