Fingerprints, Photos, and the End of Passport Stamps: What to Expect from Europe’s New Travel Rules
Travel to the European Union is about to look different.
Starting October 12, the EU will begin the six-month rollout of a new “Entry/Exit System” that requires fingerprint scans and photos and for short-term stays in 29 countries.
The new travel rules – which will eventually replace passport stamps – are meant to boost security, combat identity fraud and irregular migration, and make border crossings more efficient in the long run, but they could also mean longer lines for travelers in the near term.
“The time needed to register this information will depend on the availability and number of electronic kiosks,” European Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Associations (ECTAA) spokesperson Christina Russe said in an emailed statement. “We believe that airports are well prepared, but do not know what the situation will be at all land and sea border-crossings.”
Who It Applies ToThe new Entry/Exit System, or EES, will impact
skift.
