29 European countries implement new biometric entry-exit system; will eventually replace stamping passports

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The EES system registers the person's name, travel document data, biometric data - fingerprints and captured facial images - and the date and place of entry and exit. (Photo by Lucy North/PA Images via Getty Images)

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If you have travel plans in Europe, you’ll now have your biometric data collected at border crossings. The new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) is now operational in the Schengen Area, a zone of 29 European countries who have common entry/exit requirements and security measures at their external borders.

Dig deeper:

EES is an automated IT system that registers short stay travel, up to 90 days within any 180-day period, of non-European Union (EU) nationals each time they cross the external borders of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, 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.

The EES system is in place at the airports, ports, train stations and roadway border crossings in the Schengen area.

Why you should care:

The system registers the person's name, travel document data, biometric data — fingerprints and captured facial images, and the date and place of entry and exit.  

The EU says data collected in the EES will be kept for three years and travelers who re-enter the Schengen area will be required to provide a fingerprint or photograph upon their re-arrival during both entry and exit. The EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports on April 10, 2026.

The backstory:

Why is the European Union implementing the EES?

The EU says EES is being implemented to strengthen border control within the EU and neighboring countries, to increase security and automate border control checks to aid the EU in preventing visitors from overstaying.