Fingerprint Scans Start for US Travelers Going to Europe

Starting October 12th over a period of about six months, France, Italy, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and 25 more countries plan to roll out the new Entry/Exit System (EES).

The European Union’s (EU) website explains that these nations will bring in the various parts of the EES step-by-step, including gathering biometric data like face images and fingerprints. The site adds that, as a result, face scans and fingerprints may not be taken at every border crossing immediately, and personal details might not be logged into the system right away.

Your passport will still get a stamp, the EU reports. The expectation is that the new plan will refresh border control throughout Europe, helping security by fighting scams and terror threats. The technology can watch for visitors who stay too long in the Schengen Area, a group of 29 European countries where people move freely.

A self-service option is available if you have a passport with a “chip” holding your personal biometric information. Last week, the U.S. Department of State released an announcement on its X account. The post explained that American travelers heading to many European countries should anticipate new automated border checks, with their personal data collected digitally upon entering and leaving. The EU says safeguards exist to guard the information, stating the data will only be kept in the EES for the time needed and for the reason it was gathered, the site notes.