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As of April 10, the European Union's new Entry/Exit System for border control is fully operational. The program, which has been under a gradual rollout since October 2025, replaces traditional passport stamps with a digital system. It is designed to increase security, as well as make border checks faster and more efficient.
The new Entry/Exit System applies to all non-EU nationals who are visiting European countries for a short stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. The process requires border control agents to collect the visitor's fingerprints, take a facial image and ask for travel information, such as their entry and exit dates. This information is stored electronically for three years.
The system is being used in the following 29 European Countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Citizens of the European countries above are exempt from the program, as well as holders of resident permits and long-stay visas. A list of other exemptions can be found on the European Union's website.
Non-EU nationals who refuse to provide biometric data at the border will be denied entry and this action will be recorded in the system. Anyone who overstays their time will be flagged in the system. Consequences will be enforced depending on the national legislation of the respective European country but might include fines, detention or removal from the country and a ban from reentering the EU in the future.
Additional information on the Entry/Exit System, including answers to more than a dozen frequently asked questions, can be found on the official website.