Goodbye passport stamps for European travelers.
Starting April 10, visitors to the European Schengen area (the 29-country visa free area) will encounter new border control regulations.
The new Exit/Entry System (EES) requires border officials to scan travelers’ fingerprints and/or take a photograph of their face. This biometric data replaces the passport stamps that many travelers coveted. It also mirrors the system that the United States currently has in place for visitors here.
Europe is a busy summer vacation season for U.S. travelers, including families, and the new system could result in some longer lines at first. The hope is that the system will be more ironed out by the busiest travel months.
While these are real changes to the entry process, the basic requirements for heading to Europe aren’t changing for U.S. residents, with a basic passport requirement. An EU release noted that if a traveler has crossed the borders of the European countries using the EES more than once since the process started, the photo of their face and/or their fingerprints will already be recorded in the EES. Then the passport control officers will only verify their fingerprints and photo, which will take less time. In rare cases, it may be necessary to collect and record your data again.
Additionally, if travelers hold a biometric passport, they will be able to enter more quickly using the self-service system (if available at that border crossing point).
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
