Overview

• Non-EU short-stay travelers will be photographed and fingerprinted at external borders as automated kiosks begin replacing passport stamping over time.
• The rollout starts Sunday in 29 participating countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, with Cyprus and Ireland outside the scheme.
• Large countries such as France and Germany will conduct limited checks at first, some smaller states will go fully live from day one, and full implementation is targeted for April 10, 2026.
• UK-facing routes will register passengers before departure at locations such as London St Pancras and Dover, and Britons have been advised to expect a few extra minutes per person.
• Enrollment is free with no pre-travel steps required, children 11 and under are exempt from fingerprinting, and refusal to provide biometrics can result in denial of entry.