EES vs ETIAS, a Primer

I'd add this for further clarity:

EES is a data collection process (photo and fingerprints) conducted at the external border of specified Schengen country airports. There is nothing to fill out or file ahead of time and there is no fee.

ETIAS will require filling out a form, getting approval, and making a payment in advance of your travel.

Thank you both for the clarification.

Going to Paris in May with no stops in England so i do not have to worry about EES or ETIAS for May but in 2027, my cruise will be ending in Southampton and I will be flying home from London so I will need to make out the ETA, is that correct. And who knows what else by 2027....

The ETA for the UK is another program, independent of EES and ETIAS

https://www.gov.uk/eta

"I will be flying home from London so I will need to make out the ETA, is that correct."

Yes. But as noted it's separate:

https://www.gov.uk/eta/apply

Joe and CL, good explanations and links. I wonder if Webmaster can pin this thread to the top of General Europe so people can find and read it. Last I counted there were three questions about the “E’s” today.

and the USA has its ETSA

and Canada has eTA

EES is a data collection process (photo and fingerprints) conducted at the external border of specified EU airports.

Kind of, but not quite.

EES, yes, is the data collection element of the system, but will be in effect at all points of entry to Schengen countries (All EU is not Schengen, All Schengen is not EU) including all Airports, Ports, and land crossings (Rail and Auto) that handle traffic from non-Schengen origins. It is also not a one time data collection, it will be used, to some degree, any time you enter or exit the Schengen zone. It focuses on verifying you are who your passport says you are and asks about your purpose and ability to enter, and tracks your time in the Schengen area. Essentially, it is a replacement for the guy in the booth with a stamp, but with the data available Schengen wide.

Going to Paris in May with no stops in England so i do not have to
worry about EES or ETIAS for May but in 2027,

Bostonphil you will likely have to do EES in France this year and you will have to do ETA in UK in 2027. You might have to do ETIAS in 2027 if it is operating.

And Paul, I edited my comment for accuracy. Thanks for calling that out.

Thank you for this post! We will be flying through Frankfurt at the end of the month, on the way to Bucharest. Flying back in April from Budapest, also through Frankfurt. Figure we will have to do the EES one way or another. Will report how it all goes...