Say Goodbye To Collecting Passport Stamps On Your European Travels
A beloved travel tradition is coming to an end as the EU plans to scrap passport stamps in lieu of the new Entry/Exit System (EES), a self-service system to track non-EU nationals at border crossings. Though a step in the future for travel security innovation, many visitors will surely be disheartened to end their collection of passport stamps.
Here’s everything you need to know about the EU implementing the EES, and what that means for your passport stamp collection…
What is the EES?
EES is an automated IT system that will register non-EU nationals traveling to the EU for short stays (90 days in a 180-day period).
How does the EES work?
If you’re at border crossing for the first time with EES, passport control officers will collect personal data on you by taking a photo of your face and scanning your fingerprint to be stored in a digital file. Those who have already gone through the EES before will only be asked to verify their photo and fingerprints. Therefore, passports will no longer need to be stamped to record traveler’s entry and exit.
EES will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers – European Commission’s Department for Migration and Home Affairs
Can you refuse to have your photo taken or fingerprints scanned?
Refusal would deny you entry to EU territories that use the EES.
Why switch from passport stamps to the EES?
The EES intends to modernize the management of the EU’s external borders, improve efficiency, detect overstayers, fight identity fraud, strengthen security and promote accessible, real-time information for border authorities.
When will the EES launch?
EU airports will begin using the EES by November 2024. This comes just a few months ahead of the ETIAS implementation that will be required by non-EU nationals to travel to around 30 European countries.
Do travelers still need a passport?
Yes. To use this new self-service system, travelers will need a biometric passport or e-passport. This essentially is a passport with an electronic chip (looks like a camera icon on the bottom of a passport cover) that holds biometric data, such as your name, date of birth, etc.
The United States has been issuing these for over a decade. Those with a non-biometric passport will still be allowed to cross borders. They simply cannot use the EES.
Which countries will no longer stamp passports?
29 European countries will use the EES and forgo passport stamps.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Luthuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Will any EU countries still stamp passports?
According to the European Union, despite Ireland and Cyprus being a part of the EU, both countries will still utilize manual stamps.
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