Are you ready for your next trip to Europe? The European Union’s new, automated, digital entry and exit system for non-EU nationals – including citizens of the U.S. and Canada – will be implemented starting October 12, 2025. The EU’s long-delayed new digital border control process is called EES: Entry/Exit System. 

Sadly, for nostalgic passport stamp collectors, the new system will eliminate manual stamping. EES replaces the previous system with a digital process that includes the collection of travelers’ biometric data. 

That means you will have your facial image and fingerprints taken to record your entry into any of the 29 EU countries that make up the so-called ‘Schengen Area’, and your exit from any of them on your departure.  

You cannot opt out of providing biometric data for EES. It is a requirement for non-EU citizens under EU law. If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the EU’s Schengen Area. 

The Schengen Area is the group of almost all of the European Union countries that have collectively decided to eliminate internal border controls, allowing for free movement for travelers once they clear passport control in the first country of the Schengen Area of their trip. Within the Schengen Area, as before the EES, there are no passport controls.

The new EES applies to visitors on short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period). Years in the making and implementation, EES finally consolidates all Schengen Area member countries’ border control information digitally. 

While saying goodbye to the sometimes pretty and nostalgic passport stamps, EES provides a centralized and automated passport control information database that can be simultaneously operated by all the member countries. EES electronic records available to all member countries’ border control officials allow them to track entries, exits, and potential overstays by non-EU citizens. 

Officials say EES will enhance security, prevent irregular migration, and standardize data collection across the Schengen Area. 

Do Travelers Need to Do Anything? 

• No pre-registration for the EES is required before your trip to Europe
• Make sure your passport is in good condition for digital scanning
• Be prepared for your biometric data to be collected on your first entry into an EU country as of October 12, 2025
• Allow extra time for border crossing (entry and exit) in EU countries during the rollout phase through Spring, 2026.

EES officials add that, once it's fully implemented, EES will streamline future border crossings as it speeds up and secures travel processes. 

Remind Me Again: Which Countries are Part of the EU/ Schengen Area? 

1. Austria
2. Belgium
3. Bulgaria
4. Croatia
5. Czech Republic (Czechia)
6. Denmark
7. Estonia
8. Finland
9. France
10. Germany
11. Greece
12. Hungary
13. Iceland
14. Italy
15. Latvia
16. Liechtenstein
17. Lithuania
18. Luxembourg
19. Malta
20. Netherlands
21. Norway
22. Poland
23. Portugal
24. Romania
25. Slovakia
26. Slovenia
27. Spain
28. Sweden
29. Switzerland 

Just so you know, Ireland and Cyprus are the only two EU members that are not currently part of the Schengen Area. Ireland has a permanent opt-out, while Cyprus is expected to join in the future. 

Even before Brexit, the countries of the U.K.: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, were not part of the Schengen Area, and are not participants in the new EES. 

For more information, here’s the EU’s official webpage for the EES. 

START YOUR TRIP! 

Image: Getty

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