From 2025, non-European Union passport holders travelling to Europe will be required to use the new Entry/Exit System.
Important: as at February 2025, this scheme has not yet come into effect.
From an as-yet undetermined date in 2025, those non-European Union (EU) passport holders travelling to Europe for a short stay (no more than 90 days out of a period of 180 days) will be required to use the new Entry/Exit System when crossing external borders of the following European countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, 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
If you are crossing a European border for the first time since the implementation of the Entry/Exit System, you will be required to scan your fingerprints, or have a photo of your face taken. This information will be recorded in a digital file. Your passport will not be stamped.
Any border crossings after your first, initial crossing will require passport control officers to verify your fingerprints and photo. In rare cases, it may be necessary to re-collect and record your data.
If you hold a biometric passport, you will be able to enter more quickly using the self-service system (if available at that border crossing point).
To find out more information on the Entry/Exit System, what data it holds and why, please visit Travel Europe
Last updated February 2025