Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union will begin phasing out traditional passport stamps for visitors from outside the union. Instead, travelers will find themselves faced with a fully digital system that uses biometric data (face scans and fingerprints) to track entry and exit from the EU.
With the launch of the European Entry-Exit System (EES), EU officials confirm that the new system will stop manual passport stamping, facilitate the detection of overstayers in Europe, and enhance border security as the number of travelers increases.
Europe is not the first to implement this approach; countries such as Australia (2012) and Argentina (2022), as well as several Asian countries, have already done so. However, the EU EES system is designed to accommodate the volume of travelers to European countries, which manage approximately 700 million border crossings annually.
What will change after the EES system is implemented?
- The European Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace manual passport stamps with secure digital records.
- First-time visitors must provide a photo of their face and four fingerprints, while children under 12 are required to provide a photo of their face.
- It applies to all non-EU citizens arriving for short stays (up to 90 days within any 180 days).
- Implementation will begin at major airports such as Frankfurt and Charles de Gaulle, and will then expand to ports and land crossings. The system is expected to be fully implemented by April 10, 2026.
What should travelers expect?
- Speed up later: After initial registration, travelers will later be able to use biometric passport control devices, making border crossings faster and more convenient.
- Possible initial delays: During the first months, waiting times may be slightly longer as border crossings adapt to the new system.
To learn more about the new EES system, we invite you to watch the explanatory video or read the blog.
