It’s exciting to examine a stamp on a passport after entering a country. The ink is still wet and you get a tangible souvenir in your hands. This experience is soon to be forgotten as many countries in the European Union move towards biometric and electronic border control systems.
In Europe, 29 nations will replace passport stamps soon with a brand new system. Entry/Exist System (EES). The policy has been delayed for yearsThe new law will be implemented gradually, with a full implementation scheduled for April 10, 2026.
The electronic authorization system is a “computerized IT system used to register non-EU nationals who are travelling on a short trip, every time they cross any of the external borders of one of the European countries that uses the system,” according to the European Union. This policy, which aims to modernize borders, will collect the data from travelers’ passports, including date, place, and time of entry and exit. It will also include fingerprints and a facial picture.
Europe isn’t the only one moving towards a digital frontier. In January, Britain implemented its own electronic travel authorization (ETA) feeThe fee is required by most travelers, including those from the United States. The long-anticipated immigration fee was hailed as a step towards “a modern system of immigration” at the time.
The Transportation Security Administration has also started expanding its facial recognition technology Airports around the country are implementing programs like Clear PlusThey are becoming more popular.
Other countries are also moving away from stamps. Australia, for example stopped issuing stamps in 2012. according to the country’s ABC News. Hong Kong, Singapore and Argentina are also no longer using them. Even the United States has begun to phase out physical stamps. Harvard University noted.
While travelers may be disappointed by the loss of tangible souvenirs of their trip, they should never throw them away. put a souvenir stamp in their official passports. The document states that “only authorized United States or foreign officials may place stamps or notations or additions.”
The list below shows all the countries where EES will be gradually implemented:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
