29 EU Countries to End Passport Stamping for Entry/Exit

By the end of this year, 29 countries in Europe’s Schengen area will cease stamping passports and transition to a new system that the European Union (EU) claims will accelerate border control processes and enhance security.

“At every airport, seaport, and border entry point into Europe, we will implement digital border control,” EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson announced on August 16. She emphasized, “When this happens, we will say goodbye to passport stamps and welcome digital checks.”

How Will the New Digital System Work?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace the current manual passport stamping process. Under this system, data such as facial scans and fingerprints will be collected when travelers first enter Europe. This biometric data will be linked to passport information (including name, ID number, date of birth, issuance, and expiration) to verify identities. From the second visit onward, travelers will only need to scan their face.

The system eliminates passport stamping, which is time-consuming, unreliable for tracking entry and exit data, and ineffective in detecting overstayers.

The EES is set to launch on November 10, 2024. However, those who prefer the old system can complete their travels before the end of this year.

Which Countries Will Adopt the EES?

The EES will be implemented in 29 Schengen area countries, including:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Who Will Have Access to Personal Data?

According to the EU, your data will be accessible to European border control, visa, and immigration authorities. Europol may also access the data for law enforcement purposes, along with transport operators to verify your number of entries. In certain cases, the data may be shared with other countries or international organizations.

Is This the Same as the ETIAS Program?

No. The EES is different from the ETIAS travel authorization system. ETIAS, which will be launched in the first half of 2025, requires non-EU travelers to pay a fee of €7 (approximately $7.75) for a three-year entry permit or until their passport expires.