US travelers to Europe face fingerprint screening starting in April with full implementation

France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom and 25 other countries began implementing the new entry-exit system (EES) on October 12, and by April 10, it will be fully implemented.

Officials say the program will be introduced “in phases.”

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“These European countries will introduce the various elements of the EES in stages, including the collection of biometric data, such as a facial image and fingerprints,” he added. European Union (EU) website. Notes.

“This means that biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) may not be collected at every border crossing point immediately, and (travelers) Personal information “He may not be registered in the system,” he added.

Europe’s new biometric border system will be fully implemented on April 10 and will require fingerprints and facial scans for all visitors. (Jimmy Joy/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The manual passport stamp will be replaced by automatic digital registration.

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“As the passport stamp will no longer be present once the EES service is operational, carriers must use an online interface to carry out these checks instead,” the EU website said.

The manual passport stamp will be replaced by automatic digital registration. (Istock)

The new policy is expected to help modernize border management All over Europeincluding security improvements to combat fraud and terrorism.

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The system will be able to do this Track whether visitors overstay They are welcomed into the Schengen Area, an area of ​​29 European countries that allows movement.

In March 2025, approximately 1.6 million Americans traveled to Europe. (Jimmy Joy/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

A self-service system is available for people with disabilities Biometric passportWhich contains a “slice” of personal biometric information collected.

This time last year — in March 2025 — nearly 1.6 million Americans had traveled to Europe, according to the International Trade Administration.

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Nearly 16 million to 18 million Americans traveled to Europe in all of 2025, according to industry estimates.

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The United States is one of Europe’s largest tourism markets, according to the World Tourism Guide.