Travelers from some European countries will say goodbye to passport stamps and experience a new border control process like in Europe The long awaited new entry/exit system It started on 12 October. The launch of the system, which uses biometric data instead of passport stamps to register the visits of non-EU travellers, was initially expected to take place in 2021.
EES is mandatory for all non-EU citizens, and you cannot refuse to have your biometric data captured. If you refuse, you will be denied entry.
What is EES?
The EES is an automated information technology system designed to register non-EU citizens traveling for a short period of time to any of the 29 European countries using the system. “Short stay” is defined as up to 90 days within any 180-day period. One of the main functions of the system is to identify people who overstay the allotted time.
“The EES modernizes border management by increasing the efficiency and quality of procedures at the border. It also simplifies travel and makes it safer,” according to Official website of the European Union,
The countries that use this system are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The EEA countries include 25 of the 27 EU member states, only Cyprus and Ireland do not participate. Those countries will continue to conduct manual border passport checks. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland are non-EU countries but are members. schengen area And follow short stay rules.
When will it be fully implemented?
On October 12, 2025, the system began a six-month phased launch. During that period, data collection at border crossing points will be gradually introduced. It is expected to be fully implemented by April 10, 2026.
During the rollout period, travelers cannot have their biometric data collected at each border crossing or register their personal information in the system, and passports will remain stamped as usual.
On Monday, October 13, Eric Rosen, TPG’s content director, flew from Amsterdam to Los Angeles on KLM.
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“As with EU travelers, I was directed to go to the e-gates, who took my photo and scanned my passport, yet I was directed to speak to Border Patrol agents at a nearby kiosk who gave me a physical passport stamp,” she said. “I asked about the rollout, and they said it would take some time to stop stamping passports, based on what they were told by supervisors.”
According to the website of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)The new EES system will be implemented in phases starting from November 3. Other airports including Germany’s Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), Rome Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO), Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) and Luxembourg Airport (LX) started using the new system immediately on 12 October. This is not a comprehensive list of airports already using EES, so it’s worth a look. Double check the airport website before departure.
How are US travelers affected?
The next time you fly through an airport with the new border crossing point system, you will need to provide your personal data PassportWhich includes your full name and date of birth. Passport control officers will scan four of your fingerprints and/or take a photograph of your face which will be stored in a digital file called a Biometric Matching Service. You may be able to register some of your data in advance using the self-service system if it is available at your border crossing point or if a mobile app is available in the country you are traveling to. However, you will still need to meet with a passport control officer.
Fingerprints of children below 12 years of age will not be scanned.
EES tracks the date and location of each entry and exit, as well as whether you were refused entry. Records of entries, exits and refusals will be kept for three years and then automatically erased. Passengers can request access to their data, request corrections and ask that their data be deleted.
You may need to arrive at the airport earlier than usual when passengers are using the new systems.
according to lux website“Although the introduction of the new EES system may result in slightly longer border processing times, Luxembourg Airport teams are fully committed to providing a seamless and pleasant travel experience. Dedicated staff will be available to assist passengers, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that travel through the airport remains as seamless and comfortable as possible.”
PRG website Advises non-EU citizens to anticipate “longer waiting times at both arrival and departure border controls”.
ground level
The EEA is not the only change coming to European travel. The European Travel Information and Authorization System is still expected to be implemented for visa-free travelers in the last quarter of 2026. The ETIAS application fee will now be 20 euros (about $23), up from the initially announced fee of 7 euros (about $8).
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