We continue to republish articles from Travel + Leisure Magazine when we feel the information may be pertinent to many of our traveling readers. The magazine has a team of staff members who constantly scour the world news for travel updates. Since there are only two of us conducting research, we can’t possibly be as efficient as they are. As a result, when we see articles that may be relevant to our readers, we repost them.
From Travel + Leisure online magazine:
“Europe Is Replacing Passport Stamps With Fingerprint and Face Scans—Here’s What Travelers Should Know
Starting Oct. 12, the EU will begin rolling out a new digital border system replacing passport stamps. By Michael Cappetta, Published on September 30, 2025
Travelers will soon be required to provide a fingerprint or facial scan for entry to dozens of popular countries, including France and Spain.
Starting Oct. 12, Europe’s new Entry and Exit System (EES) will begin rolling out at airports and border crossings as part of a “progressive start” to slowly test and expand the technology, according to the European Union. The full implementation will not take effect until April 10, 2026.
The EES program will eventually be required in 29 European countries, including many in the European Union, such as France and Spain, as well as those in the Schengen area, including Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. It will be required for all non-EU nationals heading to Europe for a short stay, but the fingerprints of children below 12 years old will not be scanned.
The European Union stated that the goal of the new program is to modernize borders, combat identity fraud, and facilitate the identification of travelers who overstay their visas. Files containing personal data will be stored for approximately three years. The EU has stated that data may not be transferred to third parties.
In anticipation of the new procedure, the U.S. Department of State warned American travelers in a post on X to “expect new automated border checks and to have their biodata digitally collected upon arrival and departure.”
The scanning of biometric data isn’t the only major change under the EES system. Additionally, the procedure will gradually eliminate the tradition of collecting stamps in a passport book, a popular souvenir among travelers.
“The EES will gradually replace passport stamps with a digital system that records when travellers enter and exit, making border checks faster and helping staff to work more efficiently,” the European Union noted. “With EES, travellers will spend less time at the border thanks to faster checks, self-service options, and the possibility to give their information in advance.”
The EES system was first announced in 2023 with plans to debut it in 2024 originally. However, the program was eventually delayed.
Beyond the European Union, the United Kingdom implemented its own electronic travel authorization (ETA) fee earlier this year. That is now required for most travelers arriving in the country, including from the United States.
In the U.S., travelers applying for the popular expedited security programs, TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, must similarly provide fingerprints for security scans. Meanwhile, companies like Clear Plus utilize fingerprint, eye, or facial scans to help travelers get through airport security faster.”
The package is expected to arrive in the next three hours. We’re still holding our breath that it’s the correct item, that it works, and by the end of today, Tom will be able to hear again.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, October 9, 2015:
