Europe changes the rules for travelers, starting October 12, traveling to Europe from outside the European Union will be quite different, there will be no passport stamp (we will stop seeing influencers on social media showing their passports full of stamps) and now, the new Entry and Exit System (EES) will start working, this will only happen for citizens of non-European or non-EU countries, and basically they will register your face like your phone does.
Yes, from now on you will enter European countries as if you were simply unlocking your iPhone, with biometric data, your fingerprints and a photo of your face (in addition to your passport information, of course). But the future has arrived and this is it. Millions of tourists and travelers from countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil, Japan or Australia will have to go through this system if they want to enter any of the 29 countries that are part of the Schengen area.
What is the EES
The EES is a computer system designed to modernize border controls and strengthen security. With it, each entry and exit to the Schengen area will be recorded digitally, replacing the classic passport stamp. Faster and simpler for border workers.
What data will be stored
Each traveler must provide:
- Full name and travel document.
- Fingerprints and facial image.
- Date, time and point of entry and exit.
All that information will be stored to facilitate future trips.
Will it apply in all airports?
For now, it has not been implemented in all countries, but soon it will be the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland where it will be implemented. Any visitor from outside Europe will have to register this way to enter.
Who does it affect
The EES is intended for short stays of up to 90 days. That is, whether you come for vacation, business or to visit your family: if you are not a European citizen, you will have to leave your biometric data when entering.
What is this change for
With the launch of the system, Brussels is pursuing several objectives, the first is to strengthen security. It is assumed that with this system it will be easier to detect those who want to stay longer than allowed or try to enter with false documents.
They also want to reduce manual procedures and lines in airports or border crossings and this option is the fastest.
In addition, biometric identification adds a difficult layer of control to avoid crimes (so they say).
What it means for travelers
For travelers, the change at first may generate long lines, delays and confusion because we will not be familiar with the process, but in the long run, it is assumed that everything will be much faster, because biometric data will be stored in the system and the process will not have to be repeated on the next visit.
And what do they do with our data?
Perhaps this is one of the things that most scares travelers, the uncertainty of knowing what governments will do with their biometric data. Well, although it may sound scary you do not have to worry because your data will be encrypted so that there is no possibility of theft.
The new entry and exit system will mark a before and after in the way of traveling to Europe. From October 2025, those coming from outside will have to register fingerprints and face to cross the border. Although the implementation will be progressive until 2026, Europe is already betting on a more digital and secure control, we will have to get used to this new method, don’t you think?