New Immigration System Launching in Europe

Starting October 12, travelers heading to Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the UK, and 25 other countries will see the rollout of a new Immigration/Exit System (EES), expected to last about six months.

The European Union’s website notes, “These countries will gradually eliminate certain practices related to biometric data collection, such as facial images and fingerprints.” It’s a bit of a shift, really.

This change means travelers might not have their biometric information collected at all border checkpoints immediately, and personal data won’t always be registered in the system right off the bat.

Despite these updates, the EU assures that travelers’ passports will still be stamped just as before, so that routine will remain intact.

The aim? Well, it’s to enhance border control across Europe, working towards better security to combat issues like fraud and terrorism.

According to plans, the system will track whether visitors will still be welcomed in the Schengen region, which includes 29 countries that allow for travel without many restrictions.

For those with biometric passports—essentially those carrying a chip with personal biometric data—a self-service option will be available. This could make things smooth, or it might feel a bit impersonal, depending on how it’s handled.

Last week, the US Department of State provided updates via social media, stating that American travelers can expect automated border checks in most European destinations. The post emphasized that biometric data will now be gathered digitally upon both arrival and departure.

The EU is keen to highlight data protection measures. They indicate that any collected data will only be retained for the necessary duration and strictly for its intended purpose.

However, there’s a caveat. If a traveler refuses to provide biometric data, they will not be permitted entry. It’s a somewhat strict stipulation, but it does align with the overall security objectives of the new system.