Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Missing Passport Stamp

Apparently it takes a seismic shift in European border control to coax me out of a year-long blogging nap. After pushing back the start date of the ETIAS for years, the EU officially kicked off its new Entry/Exit System (EES), which will be swapping passport stamps for biometrics. In this post, I’ll break down what the EES is, how the phased implementation works, and how it differs from ETIAS, the separate pre-travel authorization currently slated to debut in late 2026.

Europe has officially begun implementing its new Entry/Exit System (EES) as of October 12, 2025. This digital border control system is replacing manual passport stamping for non-EU travelers but not all at once.

According to the European Commission, the rollout is gradual and will continue through April 10, 2026. During this transition, some border crossing points have already started collecting biometric data—a facial image and fingerprints—while others are still stamping passports as usual.

The U.S. State Department has also issued guidance for American travelers.

What it means for travel right now:

  • Biometric checks are not yet active at every border

  • Some travelers may still receive passport stamps instead of digital registration

  • Border delays are expected as technology and staff ramp up

  • Full implementation is expected by April 10, 2026

The EES will apply at the external borders of 29 European countries, including France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the Nordic nations. The full country list is available on the EU’s official EES FAQ page.

How EES Differs from ETIAS

EES and ETIAS are separate systems with different purposes and timelines. You’ve been hearing about the ETIAS for years and then, BAM… Europe goes and launches something else first! Thankfully, your trusty travel advisors are here to help you better understand.

EES

  • Now in effect (launched October 12, 2025)

  • Phased rollout through April 10, 2026

  • Handles biometric verification and digital border tracking at entry and exit

ETIAS (More details are available on the EU’s official ETIAS page.)

  • Will apply before travel, similar to the U.S. ESTA

  • Not active yet

  • Currently scheduled to begin in April 2026