For some time, it has been known that a new Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace physical passport stamps for non-nationals traveling to Europe’s Schengen area, but recent updates have now been revealed.
According to The Times, EES will be operational as early in some countries as October 12th, 2025. Beginning then, impacted travelers will be required to provide fingerprints or a facial scan to be recorded in a digital file in order to enter a territory using EES.
What data is held by EES?
EES will collect travelers’ data and store it for roughly three years. Collected data will include:
- The data listed in your travel document(s) (full name, date of birth, etc.)
- Date and place of each entry and exit
- Facial image and fingerprints (biometric data)
- Whether you were refused entry
What happens if you refuse?
Passengers who refuse to provide biometric data will be denied entry into countries using EES.
Do you still need your passport with EES?
Yes. American travelers will still need to carry their passports with them even after submitting biometric data.
Which countries will implement EES?
Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and 25 of the 27 EU nations will utilize EES.
Why will EES track your entries?
EES is being implemented to detect overstayers and strengthen security. Americans must abide by a 90/180-day rule, where travelers are permitted within a Schengen area for only 90 days within a rolling 180-day period.
Thus, EES will more efficiently track passenger entries to uncover overstayers who will be added to a list that passport control officers, immigration officers and staff will have access to. These overstayers may be subject to removal from the territory, fines, or re-entry refusal.
What rights do you have to your data?
Travelers can exercise any of the below rights by contacting a data controller or data protection officer in a country using EES.
- Request from the controller access to data relating to you
- Request that inaccurate or incomplete data is corrected
- Request that unlawfully processed personal data that concern you is erased and/or request that specific data are not processed
Learn more on the official EES website.
