Starting October 12, travelers entering the European Union will begin using a new system that gradually replaces passport stamps with biometric scans. The phased rollout marks the beginning of a digital border process that will affect millions of visitors from countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
Instead of getting a stamp, travelers will be required to scan their fingerprints and face at border checkpoints. This change is part of a broader EU rollout that could impact wait times, reentry rules, and how long personal data is stored in European systems.
What Is Changing at the EU Border
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) is a digital database that tracks non-EU nationals entering and leaving the EU and Schengen Area. It replaces manual passport stamps with biometric checks, requiring travelers to provide four fingerprints and a facial image at designated border points. The system is operated by eu-LISA, the EU agency managing large-scale justice and border IT systems.
The system logs entry and exit data to help authorities detect overstays. It applies to visa-free travelers from countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia, as well as short-stay Schengen visa holders. Once registered, data remains valid for three years unless a passport or biometric details change.
Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting, and EU citizens or legal residents are not affected. Checks will be done at airports, ports, and land borders using kiosks, staffed booths, or handheld devices. Registration is free and does not require pre-approval, but travelers who refuse to comply will be denied entry.
How the New System Will Work
Upon arrival at an EU external border, travelers will be directed to a designated checkpoint equipped with kiosks or staffed control booths. There, they will scan their passport and submit biometric data, including a facial image and four fingerprints. This initial registration creates a digital record tied to the traveler’s identity. On subsequent visits, facial recognition alone may be used to confirm entry or exit, speeding up processing.
Once enrolled in the system, travelers can benefit from faster processing on subsequent trips. Instead of manual passport checks and physical stamps, border officers will verify the stored biometric data to confirm entry or exit.
This process is expected to reduce processing times over the long term, especially for those using airports or terminals equipped with automated e-gates. However, during the early stages of implementation, authorities anticipate longer wait times as travelers adjust to the new procedures and infrastructure is brought online.
Who Will Be Affected
The Entry/Exit System applies to all third-country nationals entering the EU or Schengen Area, regardless of the purpose of their visit. This includes citizens of countries that do not need a visa for short stays, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan. It also affects travelers holding short-stay Schengen visas.
Individuals traveling frequently to Europe for business, tourism, or family visits will see the most immediate impact. They will be required to register biometric data on their first trip after the system goes live, and then use that record for reentry over a three-year period.
Those who overstay the 90-day limit allowed under visa-free rules will have their data retained longer and could face penalties or denial of future entry. Children under 12 and travelers with diplomatic or official status may be exempt from certain biometric requirements, depending on local implementation.
Where and When the System Will Be Used
The biometric checks will be introduced at all air, sea, and land borders where travelers enter the EU or Schengen Area. This includes major international airports, ferry terminals, train stations, and road crossings. Locations such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt Airport, the Port of Dover, and the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone are expected to be among the first to adopt the infrastructure.
The rollout begins on October 12, 2025, with biometric checks optional at many locations during the initial phase. By December, these checks will become mandatory where systems are operational. Full implementation across all entry points is expected by April 10, 2026, when manual passport stamping will cease.
Border authorities in France, the Netherlands, and Germany have already begun installing self-service kiosks and biometric capture devices. In vehicle-based crossings, such as the Eurotunnel, travelers may be asked to register their data using handheld scanners without leaving their cars.
What Travelers Should Expect
Travelers entering the EU after October 12, 2025, should prepare for additional processing time, especially during the early months of the rollout. Border authorities will collect biometric data at the point of entry, which may require longer wait times compared to current manual passport checks.
Officials have advised passengers to arrive early and allow for possible delays, particularly at busy airports and land crossings.
There is no cost to register for the system, and no action is needed before travel unless directed by a specific carrier or border post. Once registered, the biometric record will be valid for three years, meaning travelers can expect faster processing on future visits, especially at e-gate-equipped locations.
Those who refuse to provide biometric data will not be allowed to enter the EU. Travelers with limited mobility or specific privacy concerns should check with relevant authorities in advance to understand how exceptions may be handled.
ETIAS and Future Travel Requirements
Following the full implementation of the Entry/Exit System, the European Union plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). This will require visa-exempt travelers to obtain pre-travel authorization before entering the EU. ETIAS is expected to launch in spring 2027, about six months after EES is fully operational, though a grace period may be applied.
Under ETIAS, travelers will need to complete an online application, provide personal and travel information, and pay a processing fee. The system will conduct security and immigration risk checks before approving entry. ETIAS is not a visa but will become a mandatory requirement for entry, complementing the EES by adding another layer of advance screening.
Together, EES and ETIAS will create a fully digital travel entry process for non-EU visitors, combining real-time biometric tracking at the border with advance pre-authorization checks before departure.
Conclusion
The shift to biometric border checks in the EU is a significant change for international travelers. It replaces passport stamps with digital records and affects how entry and exit are tracked. Understanding the system now can help avoid delays later.
Travelers should plan for extra time and stay updated on official guidelines. The system is free but mandatory. Future trips to Europe will require more preparation than before.
Source: https: //www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8deq8qm504o?