Europe launches new Entry/Exit System: Goodbye Passport Stamps, Hello Face Scans
If you thought your passport was starting to look a little too “vintage” with all those stamps, Europe has some news for you: it’s going digital. Starting 12 October 2025, the European Entry/Exit System (EES) officially goes live — and your passport is about to lose its most photogenic feature.
Welcome to Border Control 2.0
The EES is basically the EU’s way of saying, “We love technology… and we’d like your face and fingerprints, please.” Instead of that classic thunk of a stamp, non-EU travelers will now be welcomed into the Schengen Area by a camera, a fingerprint scanner, and a polite beep.
Here’s how it works: on your first entry, you’ll have your facial image and fingerprints recorded, along with details like your passport info and entry date. From then on, every time you come back, the system will recognize you automatically — like an extremely efficient robot bouncer.
The goal? To reduce waiting times, tighten border security, and prevent overstays. In theory, it’s faster, smoother, and more secure. In practice… well, the first few months might look like a high-tech version of airport chaos.
If you need help with your next event, incentive, meeting, conference or group in Europe, please contact us!
Expect Some “Teething Problems” (and Lines)
Airports across Europe are scrambling to set up shiny new EES kiosks and e-gates where travelers will register before heading to passport control. Airlines are already warning that while things will speed up in the long run, there might be a few “learning curve” moments at first.
Translation: yes, there could be queues. Yes, someone will definitely hold up the line because they didn’t take off their sunglasses. And yes, we’ll all pretend we know how to use the machine before it scolds us in four languages.
Who Needs to Worry (and Who Doesn’t)
The EES applies to non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area for short stays (that’s 90 days within any 180-day period). So if you’re from the UK, the U.S., Australia, or anywhere else outside the EU — congratulations, you’re part of the upgrade!
EU citizens and residence permit holders can skip the whole thing, smugly gliding through the fast lane as the rest of us get digitally fingerprinted.
The Bottom Line
Europe’s new EES system is a big step toward faster, smarter, and paperless travel — once everyone figures it out. For now, pack your patience, your best “camera-ready” face, and maybe a snack for the line. Because this October, European borders are going biometric — and your passport’s about to get a lot less attention.
