New EU Border System Starts October 12: What U.S. Travelers Need to Know

U.S. citizens planning a trip to much of Europe will encounter a significant change in border crossing procedures starting October 12, 2025. On this date, the Entry/Exit System (EES), a new automated IT system, will begin its phased introduction across 29 European countries, replacing the traditional manual passport stamping.

The new system is designed to modernize and digitize border management, promising faster checks and enhanced security. However, it requires new data collection from all non-EU travelers, including those from the U.S., upon arrival.

The EES will electronically register the entry, exit, or refusal of entry for all non-EU nationals, regardless of whether they are traveling visa-free or with a short-stay visa. This applies to short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. While the system officially starts on October 12, 2025, its implementation will be gradual at various external border crossing points, with full introduction across all participating countries expected by April 10, 2026.

The new system will be used by border authorities in 29 countries, including major destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, and the Netherlands, as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. The biggest change for U.S. travelers is the collection of biometric data. Each time you arrive at an external border for a short stay, you will be required to provide personal data listed in your travel document (e.g., name, date of birth), date and place of each entry and exit, a facial image, and fingerprints (biometric data).

This biometric information will be recorded digitally. If you refuse to provide your biometric data, you will be denied entry into the territory of the European countries using the EES. The EES aims to make border checks more efficient by replacing the time-consuming process of stamping passports.

Upon your first entry after October 12, a border officer will take a photo of your face and/or scan your fingerprints, which will be stored in your digital file. You may be able to speed up this process by using self-service kiosks or a mobile application (if made available by the country of arrival) to pre-register some data.

On subsequent visits, your data will already be recorded, and officers will only need to verify your existing fingerprints and photo, which is expected to take less time. Biometric passport holders may be able to use available self-service systems for quicker entry. The EES will precisely track the 90-day short-stay limit, making it easier for authorities to identify travelers who have overstayed.

If you are found to be an ‘overstayer,’ you may face consequences depending on the national law of the respective country, which can include administrative fines, detention, removal from the territory, or being prevented from re-entering the EU in the future. Travelers can use a “short-stay calculator” tool (available online) to help monitor their remaining days, though the final authority rests with border officials.

The new system applies to all non-EU nationals, regardless of whether they are traveling visa-free. Travelers should be prepared for this new procedure and allocate slightly more time for border checks during the initial phase of the rollout.

The U.S. Department of State has issued an alert to American citizens regarding this major change: “Attention U.S. citizens! Starting October 12, the European Union is rolling out a new automated Entry/Exit System (EES). U.S. citizens traveling to most European countries should expect new automated border procedures.”

Beyond the new EES border procedure, travelers should also be aware of the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The ETIAS is a new, mandatory pre-travel entry requirement for non-EU nationals from 59 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S.) travelling to 30 European countries.

Once ETIAS is fully implemented (expected in the last quarter of 2026, after the EES rollout), travelers will be requested to have the ETIAS authorisation before coming to Europe. To get one, you will need to apply online.