EU Replaces Passport Stamps with Biometric Border Checks

On 12 October 2025, the European Union will go live with the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new border management system applied to all 29 Schengen Area countries.

It is designed for non-EU nationals, whether visa-required or visa-exempt, traveling for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

The EES replaces the traditional manual passport stamping system with a digital recording of entries and exits that uses biometric data.

When a traveler arrives at a Schengen external border, their travel documents will be scanned, and biometric data, including facial recognition and fingerprint scans, will be collected and linked to their documents.

The goal is to enhance the detection of identity fraud, reduce unauthorized stays, and streamline border control checks.

During the initial six-month phase, biometric data collection and digital registration will be introduced gradually, with manual passport stamping continuing in parallel. The full, mandatory rollout of biometric checks is planned by April 2026.

In July 2025, the European Commission proposed raising the ETIAS fee from €7 to €20 (approximately from $8 to $23) per traveler to cover inflation and additional administrative costs. The proposal is currently undergoing review by the EU Council and Parliament and is expected to take effect starting in 2026.

Photo by Antoine Schibler on Unsplash