Starting today, tourists from outside the European Union will no longer collect the traditional stamps in their passports when entering and leaving the Schengen area. The change is part of the implementation of the new Entry and Exit System (EES), which digitizes the registration process for visitors from third countries, aiming for more efficient and secure border control.
The EES, an automated registration system, is, according to , one of the EU’s latest steps to modernize border management. With the aim of reducing bureaucracy and strengthening security, this new system replaces the physical stamp with a digital record of entries and exits. The system covers 29 countries in the Schengen area, including the 27 EU Member States and countries such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
The objective is twofold: to replace the old stamp system and improve stay control. With the change, the arrivals and departures of non-European citizens will be recorded in a centralized database, which also collects biometric data such as fingerprints and facial photos. This system not only allows for stricter control over the length of stays, but also helps identify possible stay violations, allowing for a faster response from authorities.
This digitization process is part of a larger EU project, which aims to reinforce security with biometric technology. And while the EES will come into force later this year, it will be complemented by the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) from 2025. Similar to the United States’ ESTA system, ETIAS will require citizens of visa-exempt countries to obtain authorization to enter the Schengen area. The authorization will cost 7 euros and will be valid for three years.
While EES focuses on entry and exit registration, ETIAS will focus on security and risk analysis, helping to identify threats before entry into the Schengen area.
For many travelers, the end of stamps represents the end of a nostalgic era. However, for the European Union, this transition in passports is a necessary step to optimize the flow of visitors, reduce waiting times at borders and ensure greater security.
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