What Do I Need to Know About the New European Entry/Exit System?

• If you’re planning a trip to Europe, there’s an important change you’ll want to know about.

• The European Union began introducing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) last week.

• This digital border control process that will replace the traditional passport stamp for travelers from countries like the United States, Canada, the U.K., and others who don’t require a visa.

• This is a phased implementation with the goal to have all countries fully operational under the new system by April 2026.

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Help Me Travel to Europe

This change is part of Europe’s effort to improve border security and streamline travel — but it does mean that visitors will experience a slightly different process when arriving in the Schengen Area.

Which Countries are using Entry/Exit system?

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

A traveler checking in at an EES kiosk.

What Will Change?

When you arrive in Europe:

• You’ll be asked to scan your passport at an automated kiosk.

• The system will record your entry and exit dates digitally — no more passport stamping. (I know, we're just as sad as you are.)

• For your first trip, you’ll also need to have your fingerprints and a facial image captured.

• Once your bio-metric information is in the system, future trips should move more quickly.

Children under age 12 will not be fingerprinted, though their photo will be taken.

Important: Participation in the bio-metric process is mandatory. Travelers who refuse to provide fingerprints or facial data will be denied entry into the European Union.

Why is Europe Is Making This Change?

The goal of the Entry/Exit System is to:

• Strengthen border security across Europe.

• Make it easier for travelers to move efficiently through checkpoints once their data is in the system.

• Automatically track how long each traveler has stayed, helping enforce the 90-day limit for visa-free visits.

In other words, it’s designed to make European travel safer and smoother in the long run — though there may be some extra wait times at airports and border crossings during the initial rollout.

Travelers may experience some delays during roll out.

What Should I Expect When I arrive in Europe?

• Plan extra time at arrival for your first European trip, while the new process is being introduced.

• Bring patience — it’s a major change, and systems across Europe will adjust at different speeds.

• Follow all instructions at border control to ensure your entry is smooth and approved.

• Once you’re registered, your future European travels should be more seamless.

What Don’t I Need to Do?

• There’s no need to register or apply in advance for this new system. Everything will be handled when you enter Europe.

• However, this system is separate from the upcoming ETIAS travel authorization, which is expected to launch in 2026. We’ll keep you updated on ETIAS once its start date is confirmed.

What is Your Advice for McKee Travel Clients?

At McKee Travel, we stay on top of evolving international requirements so you don’t have to. As this new European entry process begins:

• We’ll make sure your itinerary includes enough time for border formalities.

  
  

• We’ll include clear reminders in your per-departure packet and travel documents.

Our goal is to make your journey as effortless as possible — even as travel systems modernize behind the scenes.

What is the Bottom Line?

U.S. travelers visiting Europe will be fingerprinted and photographed as part of the new Entry/Exit System. It’s a one-time process that replaces passport stamps and helps make future travel faster and more secure.

Refusing to provide the required bio-metric data will result in denied entry to the European Union, so it’s important to be prepared and cooperative during border checks.

If you have European travel planned let’s review your itinerary and make sure you’re ready for these new requirements.

McKee Travel is here to help you travel confidently — wherever your next adventure takes you.

✅ FAQ

Q1: What is the new Entry/Exit System (EES) in Europe?

A: The EES is a digital border-control process being introduced by the European Union for travelers from visa-exempt countries (like the U.S., Canada, U.K.) visiting the Schengen / participating countries. Instead of a passport stamp, your entry and exit will be recorded electronically—your passport will be scanned, and bio-metric data (fingerprints + facial image) will be captured on your first trip.

Q2: Which countries are already using or will use the EES?

A: It applies at the external borders of 29 European countries (Schengen / associated) including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, 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.

Q3: When does this system take effect and what is the rollout timeline?

A: Implementation is gradual. According to sources, some borders began October 12 2025, with full operational status expected by April 10 2026.

Q4: How will my arrival process change at the border?

A: On your first arrival into one of the participating countries:

• You’ll scan your passport at a kiosk (or via border officer).

• You’ll have your fingerprints and a facial photograph taken (children under 12 will only have the photo taken)

• No traditional passport stamp will be issued; instead your entry (and later exit) are recorded digitally.

• Once you’ve done this initial biometric registration, subsequent entries should go faster because your data is already in the system.

Q5: Do I need to apply in advance or register online?

A: No. For the EES you do not need to apply in advance — the registration happens at the border when you arrive. Please note: This is separate from the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) (launching later) which will require online per-authoriazation

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Q6: What happens if I refuse to provide my bio-metric data?

A: If you decline to cooperate with the bio-metric capture (fingerprints + photo) when required, you may be denied entry into the participating European country.

Q7: Will this cause long waits or delays at the border?

A: Possibly — especially during the rollout phase. Because systems, kiosks and procedures are new, you should plan extra time for border formalities on your first trip under the new system. Once the system is fully functioning and your bio-metrics are already in the system, your crossings should be smoother and faster.

Q8: Does this affect my travel within Europe (Schengen) once I’m inside?

A: No. The EES is for external borders (entering/exiting the Schengen / participating countries). Travel within the Schengen Area (once you’ve entered) is unaffected by EES procedures.

Q9: Will my passport still get stamped?

A: In most cases for those subject to EES, no, you will not get a traditional passport stamp. Instead your entry and exit dates will be recorded electronically.

Q10: How does this affect my itinerary planning and travel advisor relationship?

A: Great question. If you are working with a McKee Travel advisor, we will ensure:

• Your arrival schedule builds in additional buffer time for border formalities (especially your first trip under EES).

• Your per-departure packet clearly reminds you of the need to have your passport and any required documents ready for bio-metric capture.

• Since your time in Europe stays subject to the “90 days in any 180 day period” rule (for visa-free visits), we’ll keep your travel segments aligned and track your entries/exits so you remain compliant.We handle these details so you can relax and focus on your trip, not border logistics.

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