Following a six-month phased launch that launched in October, Europe’s new border control process is fully operational as of April 10. The new digital Enattempt/Exit System tracks the travels of non-European Union citizens, including Americans, to certain European countries applying biometric data for stays of up to 90 days.
That means the next time you enter the EU, you’ll no longer receive a physical passport stamp. And while the system is designed to build border control more efficient, you may encounter longer airport lines this year as the EES experiences hiccups.
Here’s what travelers necessary to know.
As of April 10, U.S. citizens and any other non-EU nationals will necessary to go through the EU’s new EES when traveling to 29 European countries. “This applies to any visits lasting up to 90 days within a 180-day period,” according to the U.S. Department of State.
U.S. citizens who hold dual citizenship with any EU member state or with any non-EU Schengen Area member (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland) do not necessary to utilize the EES.
How does the EES work?
Passport control officers will collect fingerprints, passport details, a facial image, and enattempt and exit dates from first-time utilizers of the EES upon arrival; the information will be stored digitally. As the EES is mandatory, those who refutilize to have their biometric data collected will be denied enattempt.
“Currently, the fingerprints of children below 12 years old are not scanned, even if they are subject to the EES,” according to the official website of the EU.
Once the system stores your data, your image and fingerprints will only necessary to be verified by passport control officers upon departure and at any subsequent reentries. Travelers holding biometric passports (ones containing an electronic chip marked by a gold camera logo on the front) will also be able to utilize self-service systems if available at the border crossing.
While this should eventually speed up the immigration process, travelers should expect longer lines in the near future. For example, during the rollout period, TPG’s Katie Genter experienced massive immigration lines at several European airports upon both enattempt and departure — and she nearly missed a transatlantic flight becautilize of it.
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As European countries work out bugs in the new system, Katie recommfinishs selecting a seat near the front of the plane to be one of the first passengers to reach the immigration checkpoint upon arrival. On the day you’re departing, arrive at the airport earlier than usual to give yourself time for the longer-than-usual exit immigration lines.
What countries are applying the EES?
The 29 European countries applying the EES are:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
While Cyprus and Ireland are both part of the EU, these countries will continue to stamp passports manually.
Can you preregister for the EES?
No advance action is required to utilize the EES. However, travelers to a handful of countries can utilize the Travel to Europe mobile app to preregister their passport data and facial images, and they can fill out the enattempt questionnaire up to 72 hours before arrival to speed up the border process.
Currently, visitors to Sweden can utilize the app to upload their passport data, facial image and enattempt questionnaire, while those arriving in Portugal can utilize the app to fill out the enattempt questionnaire in advance.
You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Bottom line
By storing travelers’ biometric data, Europe’s EES will eliminate the necessary for physical passport stamps and eventually speed up border control. For now, as the system works out its kinks, travelers should be prepared to wait in long lines upon arrival and departure from Europe.
The EES is free to utilize, but starting in late 2026, Europe will also require a travel authorization for U.S. citizens entering the EU. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System will cost 20 euros (about $23).
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