The new Europe Entry/Exit System (EES) is finally in place, and Americans need to know how they can travel around in Europe.
The European Union launched its Entry/Exit System on October 12, and it’s going to change how Americans go through customs when visiting Europe. Instead of just getting a passport stamp, travelers now get fingerprints and facial photos taken at border control.
EU border control changes make traveling to Europe in 2025 more challenging
The system tracks when you enter and leave to make sure you’re not overstaying the 90-day visa-free limit. Some airports are rolling it out faster than others, and there are grace periods while everyone figures out the new process. If you’re planning a Europen trip this fall or winter, expect longer wait times at immigration until the kinks get worked out. This could take some time, which means you need to be patient while going from one country to another. The Schengen Area requirements mean you’re moving about through up to 29 countries, where biometric data of visitors will be collected. These changes don’t apply only to US visitors, but to visitors from other countries as well.
The Europe Entry/Exit System (EES) has been years in the making
The new biometric passport screening is not new to most travelers, but it is a new feature of visiting Europe. The European immigration process didn’t include this screening in the past, but now it will. You need to plan a little more and show some patience when traveling around Europe, as many countries and border crossings get used to this new process, but it can still be pretty easy to move throughout Europe with minimal delays, as long as you know what to expect.
Entry and exit requirements
The new Europe Entry/Exit System (EES) captures biometric data from non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area. This area is basically all of the EU except Cyprus, Ireland, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway. The same procedure is put in place as it is used in other countries. Travelers will be fingerprinted upon entering and leaving each country in the bloc. This process is meant to reduce crime and illegal border crossings while also ensuring visitors are not overstaying their welcome. Non-EU visitors are only allowed to spend 90 out of every 180 days in the bloc.
The Europe Entry/Exit System (EES) has to create a database
If you’re a first-time traveler, you won’t have records in every database, which means authorities at border crossings will need to create a record of you and your travels. Border points along the Schengen have installed lines of self-service kiosks to allow you to create your record when moving from one country to another.
After you create the record, you will have your photo and fingerprints checked against what’s already on the system. If you have a biometric passport, there are E-gates at the border crossing, allowing entry using that form of identification.
A staggered rollout
The new Europe Entry/Exit System (EES) won’t be everywhere at first. There would be serious logistical logjams if it were rolled out everywhere at once. Instead, the rollout will be staggered and each member state chooses where and how they want to implement the system. By the 30-day mark, all countries must be registering 10% of travelers and it goes up for the next few months. By April 9, 2026, all travelers must be registered into the system.
This new system is already operational and all 29 countries are required to have at least one point of entry and exit operational right now. Various crossing points have been suggested by the European Commission, including those covering entry and exit via air, land, and sea, but its up to each country to set up the points and figure out how to apply this process to their own country.
Your data is collected by the new Europe Entry/Exit System (EES)
At every entry and exit point, a photo will be taken and your fingerprints scanned. Your passport information will also be collected, and the dates and places of your entry and exit into the Schengen. If you were refused entry at any point, that is also recorded. Visitors will also be asked where they are staying and whether or not they have enough money to cover the trip and time in the country.
Currently, authorities expect minimal delays while using the Europe Entry/Exit System (EES), but there could be some delays, and that is to be expected, especially during the early phases of this rollout.
If you plan to travel to Europe, expect to go through this new system.
