Starting in October 2025, travelers entering and exiting the European Union will no longer receive traditional passport stamps. Instead, a new digital border system will record biometric data as part of the EU’s long-anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES) rollout.

The EES is designed to modernize border control procedures across the Schengen Area by replacing manual passport checks with an automated system that captures fingerprints and facial images. The program will apply to non-EU nationals traveling to Schengen countries for short stays, including tourists, business travelers, and transit passengers.

How It Works

Upon arrival at an EU external border, travelers will be required to register four fingerprints and a facial scan, along with basic passport details. This data will be stored securely in a central EU database and used to track entry, exit, and overstays—automatically replacing the need for passport stamps.

The new system will also log the date and place of entry and exit, and calculate remaining allowable stay time within the 90-days-in-180-days rule, helping authorities spot overstayers more efficiently.

EU officials say the EES will improve border security, speed up entry procedures, and combat identity fraud and illegal migration. It is also expected to reduce queuing times in the long term, although short-term delays may occur during the initial implementation phase.

According to the European Commission, “The EES will modernize border management by reducing reliance on manual checks and stamping, making it easier to identify potential threats and ensure compliance with EU immigration laws.”

The new system applies to citizens of visa-exempt and visa-required countries who are not EU or Schengen nationals. Travelers from countries such as the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Japan will be among those required to register under the system.

EU citizens and residents, as well as holders of long-term visas, are exempt from the biometric registration requirement.

Some privacy advocates have raised concerns about data protection, particularly the storage and use of biometric information. EU officials assure that the system adheres to strict data privacy standards under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and will include safeguards against misuse or unauthorized access.

Meanwhile, several EU member states are still finalizing technical infrastructure at border checkpoints, raising questions about whether the system will be fully operational in time. Nevertheless, the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems (eu-LISA) maintains that the October deadline will be met.

The launch of the EES is a key step toward the broader EU Smart Borders initiative. It will be followed by the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in 2026, which will require non-EU visitors to apply for travel authorization before arriving.

As Europe moves into the digital age of border management, travelers are advised to prepare for new procedures and check requirements before departure to avoid delays or denied entry.