EU’s New Border System Will Fingerprint US Visitors

Americans traveling to several European countries will soon have to scan their fingerprints and be photographed as part of new regulations being introduced across the continent.

A new Entry/Exit System (EES) is being adopted by several European countries to modernize border management, combat identity fraud and improve security, according to the European Union’s website.

American travelers should be aware that when visiting countries using the system their personal data will be collected and stored electronically.

The new changes come as 29 countries in Europe introduce the EES, which is an automated system for registering non-EU national travelers.

The EES was launched on October 12, and will gradually be rolled out across border crossings, to be fully implemented next year.

Under the new system, travelers’ personal data will be collected and stored electronically to speed up border processing and track overstays. This includes biometric identifiers such as facial images and fingerprints, along with passport details and entry and exit dates.

These are all the 29 countries that will be rolling out the new system:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

The new rules apply to all travelers from outside the Schengen Area, which is a zone of European countries where people can move freely without border checks.

Most of the 29 countries adopting the system are in the EU, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. EU countries Cyprus and Ireland—which are not in the Schengen area—will not implement it.

Travelers who refuse to provide biometric data will be denied entry into countries using the EES.

The personal data collected will generally be stored for around three years, including records of refused entries. For those for whom no exit is recorded, the data will be kept for five years.

Children under the age of 12 will not have their fingerprints taken.

Americans visiting countries in the Schengen Area can stay for up to 90 days over a 180-day period. For longer stays, a visa is required.

The EES will be gradually implemented at all border crossings and will be fully operational by April 10, 2026.