Travel documents

There is nothing to do for EES before arriving in Italy. If this is your first visit to Schengen under EES, you will be photographed and fingerprinted when you enter Italy.

ETIAS might be available sometime in 2027 but no one knows when.

You can't apply for EES ahead of time. It's done at your arrival airport when you first touchdown in the Schengen Zone in Europe. ETIAS has not started yet. There is nothing for you to do.

The only thing you currently would need to apply for ahead of time is the ETA for United Kingdom.

If anybody is offering to prepare you for either ETIAS (to come some century, if ever) or EES they are only helping themselves to your money and providing nothing in return.

EES is nothing more than a time consuming digital record of your biometrics which assists Schengen area border force operatives with clearing you into the area and out of the area (EES = Entry Exit System) in addition to your passport if you are not from the Schengen area.

ETIAS is vapourware which may, or may not, eventually permit entry after an electronic application and fee, quite similar to what non US residents now have to go through to enter the US.

If and when it ever comes into force there will be plenty of reliable reporting about it, with several months' warning.

Bottom line - there is nothing you can do to prepare for either for the forseeable.

Hi, Giangilberto from Milan, the first major issue is the time involved: the initial EES registration requires taking photos and fingerprints at automated kiosks. In a large airport, this means longer than usual queues upon arrival. If you have a tight connection especially at major hubs like Fiumicino, Malpensa and significant problems have also been reported in Pisa and Verona this could be a serious problem, so my advice is to allow plenty of extra time if you are connecting. The EES system was rolled out gradually since October 2025 and fully operational since April 2026.
As the name "Entry/Exit System" implies, it applies to both entering and leaving, once registered, the record is valid for three years, so a subsequent entry should you return will likely be faster.
This system is causing serious problems at airports, with queues sometimes reaching up to five hours, some airlines and airports have even written directly to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
This is particularly true during August and September, which see a peak in tourist numbers in Italy.
I should also add that, when volumes get heavy, the Polizia di Stato have reportedly suspended biometric data collection especially during the early morning hours, which are the most critical time. Consequently, you might find that fingerprints aren't taken at all in September, or you might face a long queue, it depends on the time and the specific airport. The best advice I can give is to arrive at the airport well in advance to ensure a smooth experience. Finally, I completely agree with Nigel: anyone trying to sell you "preparation" for ETIAS or EES is scamming you steer clear of them.
And finally: you don't need ETIAS right now it will probably start in 2027. That's why you're hitting obstacles: there is no official portal open yet, so any site accepting ETIAS applications today isn't a real one.

Where are you ‘trying to apply’ for EES? Hopefully the responses here have explained how the system works so you aren’t taken in by scammers.

I think Sweden has a pre-registration system for EES but I know nothing about how it works. It is what it is and will eventually work out. IMO traveling is a privilege and accept whatever comes my way.