For American travelers heading to Europe, border procedures are about to change in a way that will be noticeable even before leaving the airport. Starting in late 2025, the European Union is phasing out the traditional passport stamp for non-EU visitors, including U.S. citizens, and replacing it with a fully digital system that tracks entries and exits electronically.
The new Entry/Exit System, known as EES, began its gradual rollout on October 12, 2025, and is scheduled to be fully operational by April 10, 2026. It applies to all travelers from outside the European Union who visit the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. That includes millions of Americans who travel each year to destinations such as Italy, France, Spain, and Germany.
For U.S. passengers, the biggest change will happen at the first border crossing after the system becomes active. Instead of receiving an ink stamp, travelers will be asked to provide biometric data – specifically a facial image and two fingerprints. This information will be linked to passport details and stored in a centralized European database. Once this first registration is completed, future entries and exits should be faster, requiring only a quick identity check.
European authorities estimate that more than 700 million border crossings per year will eventually be processed through the digital system. The goal is to reduce errors, improve security, and automatically calculate how long travelers stay in the Schengen Area. Under the old system, overstays often went undetected because stamps could be unclear or missing. With EES, length of stay is calculated precisely to the day.
American travelers should be aware that some delays are possible during the initial months of implementation, especially at major airports handling high volumes of transatlantic flights. Border officers may need extra time to assist passengers unfamiliar with the new procedures, particularly families or first-time visitors.
One symbolic change will stand out for many U.S. travelers – passport pages will no longer fill up with European entry and exit stamps. While the disappearance of stamps may feel like the end of a travel tradition, the digital record will now serve as the official proof of entry and departure. Importantly, the new system does not change visa-free access for Americans, nor does it affect airline check-in or security screening. It simply modernizes how Europe tracks arrivals and departures in a post-paper era.
