Home Destinations Europe End of an Era? The EU Reinstates Border Control

End of an Era? The EU Reinstates Border Control

July 25, 2025

If you’re used to a Europe without borders, the end of an era is coming this October, when the EU launches its long-awaited Entry-Exit System (EES).

Launching Oct. 12, EES is a new border crossing system that will eventually replace manual passport stamping for travelers headed to “the Continent.”

As a visitor, you can only stay in the Schengen Area—Europe’s border-free, 29-country-strong customs union—for 90 days out of every 180-day period.

In effect since 1995, this customs union unlike any other in the world—including France, Germany and the Netherlands—had effectively abolished passport control traveling between 29 countries, greatly facilitating movement, trade and integration… but also leading to security concerns in recent years.

Right now, border officers are only able to verify whether people are complying with visitor restrictions by manually checking stamps. But with the new system, which is set to be completely digitized and connected to a central database, catching overstayers will be much easier as officers across all 29 countries will be able to promptly pull up an individual’s personal details and travel history if required.

Visitors also will be subject to a facial biometric scan and fingerprinting to identify cases of identity fraud. However, if you’re traveling with children under 12, they will not have to give their fingerprints.

Border Delays Expected

So aside from waiting in line at passport control, travelers should be prepared for longer delays as newcomers are screened. If you have connecting flights, allow yourself sufficient time to undergo the new procedure.

Good news for some, nostalgic sadness for others, passport stamps will be a thing of the past when traveling to a majority of European countries, as all your entries and exits of the Schengen Zone will be recorded digitally.

Initially scheduled for late 2024, the biometric border system faced multiple delays due to technical concerns. The EES will now be gradually introduced across 29 EU and Schengen countries, reaching full operation by April 9, 2026.

So the days of crossing from country to country without ever having to clear customs, be it flying, taking a train, or simply driving across a border—easy as crossing the state line between Arizona and California—will be a thing of the past.