EES does not use one retention period for everything. Entry, exit, and refusal records are generally kept for three years, an individual file is generally kept for three years and one day, and a missing exit can lead to five-year retention.
This guide was checked against the official EES data page and the consolidated EES Regulation on August 24, 2026.
The four retention cases travellers should distinguish
The official EES traveller page publishes different periods for different records and circumstances. Source 1
| EES record or situation | Published retention period | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Entry, exit, or refusal-of-entry record | 3 years | Date the record was created |
| Individual file containing personal data | 3 years and 1 day | Last exit or refusal of entry |
| No exit recorded after authorised stay expires | 5 years | Expiry date of the authorised stay |
| Certain qualifying family-member entry and exit records | 1 year | Creation of the exit record |
The page says data is automatically erased when the applicable period expires. The period therefore depends on the kind of data and what happened in the travel history, not simply the date of first registration.
Entry, exit, and refusal records: three years
Article 34(1) of the consolidated EES Regulation says each entry or exit record and each refusal-of-entry record linked to an individual file is stored for three years following the date of the exit record or refusal record, as applicable. Source 2
The official traveller page presents the starting point as the date the record was created. A traveller with several crossings can therefore have records with different retention clocks.
Three years is not a new travel allowance and it does not reset the Schengen 90-in-180 calculation. It is a data-retention period for EES.
The individual file: three years and one day
EES also holds an individual file with personal and travel-document data. The official traveller page lists a retention period of three years and one day from the last exit or refusal of entry. Source 1
Article 34(2) gives the corresponding rule for an individual file together with its linked records when there is no new entry record within three years of the last exit or refusal record. Source 2
This is why a simple statement that "EES keeps all data for three years" is incomplete. The individual-file period includes an additional day and uses the last relevant event described by the rule.
No recorded exit: five years
If EES has no exit record after the authorised stay expires, the official page lists five years of retention beginning on the expiry date of that stay. Source 1
Article 34(3) sets out the same five-year period. It also says EES informs Member States three months before scheduled erasure of data concerning overstayers so they can take appropriate measures. Source 2
A missing exit record is not proof that a traveller failed to leave. It is a system record that may need investigation and, if factually inaccurate or incomplete, a correction request. Read how to request correction of a wrong EES entry or exit record and preserve evidence of the real departure.
The special one-year family-member case
The official traveller page describes a one-year period for entry and exit records of certain non-EU family members. The listed case applies when the person:
- is a family member of an EU citizen or another person who can travel under EU free-movement rights;
- does not hold a residence document; and
- accompanies an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen who travels to or resides in a Member State other than the country of that citizen's nationality.
For that case, the one-year period starts when the exit record is created. The official page also says that if no exit is recorded for a person in this listed family-member case, the data is not kept and EES does not calculate the length of authorised stay for them. Source 1
Article 34(4) provides a maximum one-year period after exit for the category described in Article 2(1)(b). Source 2
This is a narrowly defined category. Do not apply the one-year period to every non-EU family member without checking the documents and travel circumstances.
Automatic erasure does not replace your own records
Article 34(5) says the data is automatically erased from the EES Central System and the Common Identity Repository when the relevant retention period expires. Source 2
That automatic process should not be treated as a personal archiving service. A traveller may need older evidence for a tax filing, visa history, residence application, audit, or dispute whose recordkeeping period is governed by a different rule.
Maintain a separate chronological history with:
- local entry and exit dates;
- the country and crossing point;
- the passport used;
- tickets and carrier confirmations;
- visa or residence documents shown;
- any EES access, correction, or complaint correspondence.
Jetseen stores the travel history you enter on your device. Optional GPS-assisted entry is off by default, and the app does not receive a copy of your EES file.
Frequently asked questions
Does EES delete every record after exactly three years?
No. The official retention table distinguishes three years for crossing and refusal records, three years and one day for an individual file, five years when no exit is recorded after the authorised stay expires, and a special one-year case.
When does the five-year period begin?
For the no-exit case in Article 34(3), the five-year period begins on the expiry date of the authorised stay.
Does EES retention reset my Schengen day count?
No. Data retention and the 90-in-180 short-stay rule are different concepts. Erasure of an EES record does not create a new legal stay allowance.
Can I ask to see or correct retained EES data?
Yes. The official EES page lists rights to request access, correction of inaccurate or incomplete data, and erasure of unlawfully processed data. The Regulation describes the request and complaint procedure.
Jetseen is a recordkeeping and calculation tool, not legal, tax, immigration, or data-protection advice.
References
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Tax residency rules change frequently. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
