Countries to gradually eliminate passport stamps from September onwards, affecting 29 nations.
The European Union (EU) and four non-EU countries are set to introduce a new digital border control system called the Entry/Exit System (EES) starting from October 12, 2025. This system will replace the traditional passport stamp system in 29 countries, collectively known as the Schengen Area.
The Schengen Area, which includes 25 EU member states and four non-EU countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), will be implementing the EES. The participating countries 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 EES is designed to make border checks more efficient by recording when non-European travelers enter and exit a new country using fingerprint and face data. This digital system will apply to short stays of 90 days within any 180-day period across the entire Schengen area.
While the EES promises to streamline the process of moving between the 29 countries in the Schengen Area with minimal passport checks, travelers should prepare for potentially longer border processing times initially. This is because biometric data collection is being introduced without prior action or cost required by travelers.
The biometric data collected from travelers will be used to help identify those who have overstayed, used a fake identity, or misused their visa-free travel. Additionally, border officers and law enforcement authorities will have access to important traveler information, which can help them identify security risks.
The full implementation of the EES is expected by April 10, 2026. This digital system is a significant step towards modernizing Europe's border control processes and enhancing security within the Schengen Area.
[1] European Commission. (2021). Entry/Exit System (EES). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/legal-migration/entry-exit-system_en
[2] European Parliament. (2021). Regulation (EU) 2019/1831 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 November 2019 on the establishment, operation and use of the Entry/Exit System (EES). Retrieved from https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2019-0364_EN.html
[3] European Commission. (2021). Frequently asked questions on the Entry/Exit System (EES). Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/legal-migration/entry-exit-system/faqs_en
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) aims to modernize Europe's border control processes, using technology to record traveler data for efficient border checks and improved security within the Schengen Area, transforming the lifestyle of the millions of people who travel to and within the region.
- As travel becomes increasingly streamlined with the advent of digitized border control systems like the EES, understanding and preparing for new technology and potential changes in the travel process will be an integral part of the contemporary global travel lifestyle.
