In One Month, Flying to Europe Will Look Very Different

Disney4me · September 8, 2025

According to Travel Off Path, beginning October 12th, 2025, Americans traveling to Europe will be required to be photographed AND fingerprinted. Europe’s new Entry-Exit-System will be debuting on October 12th, and it will result in some changes for Americans traveling to and from Europe.

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This new system will eventually replace the manual passport stamping process and make it easier for border officers to catch anyone who is overstaying. American travelers can only stay in the Schengen Area — Europe’s border-free 29-country customs union for 90 days out of every 180-day period. This new system will make it easier to ensure travelers comply with the policy.

The new Entry-Exit-System (EES) will allow officers to easily pull up someone’s personal details and travel history if required. The rollout of this new system may encounter some delays and bumps. There might be longer lines at passport control, so it’s best to give yourself enough time to undergo the new screening procedure.

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As well, while the EES is debuting on October 12th, some entry points may not have implemented the new process yet. It will be a phased rollout, as some countries require more time to transition to digital, automated border checks. Currently, it is expected that this new system will be widely available within 180 days of October 12th.

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During the transition, passports will still be stamped, but eventually this system will replace passport stamping, and the entire process will be digital. So, for now, make sure you have enough blank pages in your passport, but soon enough, you won’t have to worry about that.