E.U. to Replace Passport Stamps with Biometric Entry System

Starting October 12, 2025, the European Union will roll out the Entry/Exit System (EES), replacing physical passport stamps with biometric scans—fingerprint and facial recognition—for travelers entering or leaving the Schengen area.

The system is being implemented across 29 Schengen member countries and aims to increase security, speed up border control, and improve tracking of visa-exempt visitors.

Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting; collected data will be stored under strict GDPR-compliant protocols for up to five years.

By April 2026, full compliance is expected, with most border entry points equipped with kiosks and digital systems to handle biometric checks.

The new system also ties into upcoming changes like ETIAS, the European travel authorization program for visa-exempt nationals, which is expected to begin in later 2026.

Travelers are being advised to prepare: ensure passports are valid, apply for necessary authorisations ahead of time, and allow extra time at borders for the initial implementation period.