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If you’re planning a trip to Europe, expect a new step at border control: biometric screening. The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now officially active across the Schengen Area — a zone that includes 29 countries with shared border policies and security standards.

What’s Changing

The EES is an automated border management system that tracks non-EU travelers entering and exiting the Schengen zone for short stays — up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The system records each crossing at airports, seaports, train stations, and land borders in countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and others.

Instead of a passport stamp, travelers will now have their biometric data collected, including:

• Fingerprints

• A facial image

• Personal and travel document information

• Date and place of entry and exit

Why It Matters

The EU says the new digital process will replace manual passport stamping starting April 10, 2026, streamlining border checks and tightening security. The collected data will be stored for three years, and returning travelers will need to verify their identity using a fingerprint or facial scan both upon entry and exit.

The Bigger Picture

The European Union launched the EES to modernize border management and reduce overstays by non-EU visitors. Officials say the system will make travel safer, faster, and more efficient — while giving border agencies better tools to track entries and exits across Europe.

In short: the next time you fly into Paris, Rome, or Amsterdam, be ready for a quick face scan or fingerprint check instead of the usual passport stamp.