Overview

• EU Entry/Exit System will register passport data, facial images and fingerprints of non‑EU travelers on short stays and is designed to replace passport stamps.
• A six‑month transition means biometric capture will not occur at every checkpoint initially and the system is slated to be fully operational by April 10, 2026.
• The rollout covers 25 EU member states excluding Cyprus and Ireland, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
• Checks will occur at external borders including crossings with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, and Ukraine’s border service urges travelers to plan for slower processing.
• A biometric passport is not mandatory, but it is required to use automated gates; manual processing will include photo and fingerprint scans, and ETIAS is expected to follow later in 2026 with a €7, three‑year authorization for many visa‑exempt visitors.