Americans visiting Europe will face new entry procedures that include fingerprint scans and a photograph upon arrival in countries such as France, Italy, and Spain. Travelers who decline to provide this biometric information will not be allowed to enter.
These changes are part of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System, which applies to all visitors from outside the Schengen Area—a bloc of countries that permits passport-free travel within its borders. The rollout begins on October 12 and will take place over about six months. Once fully implemented, the system will replace the traditional practice of stamping passports, according to EU officials.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to strengthen border security across the Schengen Area by digitally tracking entries and exits, intended to reduce overstays beyond the permitted 90 days within a 180-day period.
Click through to learn more about how the EES and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will work together to shape the future of travel to Europe.