Europe's New Biometric Border Control System: Brace for Long Lines!

New System Officially Launched

On April 10th, Europe rolled out its new biometric border control system. After six months of testing, travelers who are not EU citizens will now need to use this system when entering 29 European countries.

The new system will monitor the travel of those arriving from outside the EU using biometric data, and it will no longer provide passport stamps as it did before. This means that next time you step into the EU, you won't see a stamp on your passport.

Regulations for Travelers

Travelers from the U.S. and non-EU countries will have to undergo the Entry/Exit System (EES) process for trips lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period, according to the U.S. Department of State. However, U.S. citizens with dual nationality from any EU country or non-EU Schengen member will not need to use this system.

Upon reaching the border, passport control officers will collect fingerprints, passport information, facial images, and entry times, all of which will be stored digitally. If you refuse to provide biometric information, you will not be allowed entry.

Border Control Process

Currently, the EES does not scan the fingerprints of children under 12 years old, although they are still subject to the system. Once your data is stored, your image and fingerprints will only need to be checked by the passport control officer when you leave and return later.

Travelers with biometric passports (those with an electronic chip and a yellow camera symbol on the front) will be able to use self-service systems if available at the entry point. While this will help speed up the entry process, you should still mentally prepare for potential long waits.

What Travelers Need to Know

During the rollout of this system, many travelers have experienced long wait times at European airports. In one instance, a journalist nearly missed an overseas flight due to excessive waiting at the entry line.

If you're flying to Europe during this time, consider sitting closer to the front of the plane to be among the first passengers at the border control. On the day of your departure, arrive at the airport earlier than usual to allow ample time for waiting.

Countries Implementing the EES

The list of 29 countries in Europe utilizing the EES includes:

Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Netherlands
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

Meanwhile, Cyprus and Ireland, despite being part of the EU, will continue to stamp passports manually.

Pre-Registration for the EES

You do not need to take any action before using the EES. However, travelers to certain countries may use the Travel to Europe app on their phones to pre-register their passport data and facial images. Additionally, they can fill out the entry questionnaire up to 72 hours before arrival to expedite the process at the border.

Currently, travelers to Sweden can use the app to upload passport data, facial images, and complete the entry questionnaire, while those heading to Portugal can fill out the entry questionnaire in advance using this app. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Conclusion

By storing travelers' biometric data, the EES in Europe will eliminate the need for passport stamps and automatically speed up border control processes. However, during the initial phase, be prepared for long waits when entering and exiting. The EES is free to use, but starting at the end of 2026, Europe will require U.S. citizens to have a travel authorization for entry.

The European Travel Information and Authorization System will charge a fee of 20 euros (approximately $23).