The new system will replace manual passport stamping with biometric registration, facial scans from non-EU visitors. Expect longer queues, and a few surprises at airports

If you are planning your dream holiday in Europe -- a stroll through Paris, a gondola ride in Venice, or a ski trip in Switzerland -- brace yourself. From today, the European Union (EU) will roll out a new digital border control system called the Entry/Exit System (EES) that will affect millions of travellers from countries outside the EU, including India.

The new system will replace manual passport stamping with biometric registration, capturing fingerprints and facial scans from every non-EU visitor entering or exiting the 27-nation Schengen zone. According to European authorities, the goal is to tighten border security and streamline entry procedures.

But for travellers, especially first-timers, the change could mean longer queues, new checks, and a few surprises at airports.

Here's a detailed look at what's changing, how it will work, and what Indian travellers need to know before booking that next European trip.

What Is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?

In simple terms, the Entry/Exit System is Europe's new digital border management tool. Instead of stamping your passport every time you enter or leave the Schengen zone, border officials will now collect and store:

* Your personal data (name, passport details, travel history)

* Biometric data (fingerprints and facial images)

* Digital entry and exit records

This information will be stored in a secure central system used by border authorities across all Schengen countries. The data will automatically log when and where you enter or exit -- helping officials track how long visitors stay. This new system applies to all non-EU travellers, including those who currently don't need a visa for short stays.

Why Is Europe Doing This?

Europe's borders have become increasingly complex to manage in recent years. The Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel within most of the EU, sees hundreds of millions of crossings every year.

Authorities say the EES aims to:

* Replace the outdated passport stamping system, which is inconsistent and prone to human error.

* Detect overstays more effectively -- ensuring visitors don't exceed the 90-day limit within any 180 days.

* Prevent identity fraud and illegal re-entry through biometric verification.

* Speed up border checks in the long run, once the new system becomes familiar and automated.

In short, the EU wants more security, more accuracy, and less paperwork -- even if it means initial inconvenience for travellers.

How Will The New System Work?

Here's how the process will look for Indian travellers entering the Schengen zone after the rollout:

When you arrive at a European airport (say, Frankfurt, Paris, or Amsterdam), you will head to a biometric registration kiosk or a designated counter before passport control.

At this point, your passport will be scanned, your fingerprints will be taken, a facial image will be captured, data will be entered into the EES system, creating your digital travel profile. Once registered, you will receive confirmation of entry.

On subsequent trips to Europe, you will have to repeat the entire registration. Instead, your biometric and passport data will be matched automatically, making the process faster.

No more physical stamps -- your travel history will be stored digitally and can be accessed by border authorities at any Schengen entry point.

When leaving the Schengen area, the system will record your exit date and location. If your stay has exceeded the 90-day limit, the system automatically flags it -- potentially leading to penalties or restrictions on future travel.

The new rule applies to all non-EU travellers, including:

* Indian citizens with a Schengen visa

* Tourists, business travellers, and short-term visitors

* Citizens from visa-free countries like the US, UK, and Canada

It does not apply to:

* EU citizens

* Residents or long-stay visa holders

* Diplomats and official delegations

* Children under 12 may be exempt from fingerprinting, but could still need a facial image capture.

The End Of Passport Stamps

For decades, border officers in Europe have stamped passports at every entry and exit. Those stamps served as a record for both travellers and authorities.

But under EES, passport stamping will gradually disappear. Your passport will only be scanned -- all data will go directly into the digital system.

This means travellers will no longer be able to rely on stamps to track their travel days or prove their entry history -- a potential adjustment for frequent visitors, business travellers, and even visa applicants.

How This Affects Indian Travellers

Expect Longer Queues: At least for the first few months, travellers can expect longer waiting times at immigration, particularly during peak holiday seasons. Registering biometrics takes time -- especially when airports are processing thousands of non-EU passengers for the first time. Even a few extra minutes per passenger could create backlogs. Major hubs like Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, and Frankfurt are preparing for delays. Some airports are deploying extra staff and self-service kiosks to handle the surge.

Indians Need To Give Biometric Data: If you are travelling from India to Europe, your first port of entry into the Schengen zone -- whether it is Germany, France, or Italy -- will capture your biometric details. Even if you are transiting to another country, the first European airport you land in will process your EES registration.

No Biometric Passport? India began issuing biometric e-passports in 2021. If your passport does not have an embedded chip or biometric features, the process could take longer or may require manual verification by a border officer. To avoid delays, travellers are encouraged to renew older passports before travel.

Overstays Will Be Harder To Hide: Under the current system, some travellers overstay their visa duration because manual passport stamps can be overlooked or misread. With EES, overstays will automatically be detected and recorded. Repeated violations could result in travel bans or visa rejections in the future.

Families & Elderly Should Plan Ahead: For families with children or elderly members, biometric collection could be cumbersome. Some may find fingerprinting or facial scanning confusing. Experts recommend arriving at airports earlier than usual -- at least 3 to 4 hours before departure for international flights -- during the first months of EES rollout.

How Will Data Be Stored And Used?

The biometric and personal data collected through EES will be stored securely in an EU-wide database managed by border control agencies.

Officials claim the system has strict data protection protocols, and information will be automatically deleted after a few years unless flagged for legal or security reasons.

However, some privacy advocates have raised questions about potential misuse or data breaches, especially with millions of travellers' sensitive data being stored centrally.

For travellers, it is important to understand that consent is mandatory. If you refuse biometric collection, you may be denied entry into the Schengen zone.

Will This Make Travel To Europe Tougher?

The honest answer: yes, in the short term -- but easier in the long run. During the initial rollout, travellers should be prepared for confusion, queues, and system teething issues. Border agents will be adjusting, equipment will be tested in real-world conditions, and not all airports may be fully equipped on day one.

But over time, the system promises to make travel smoother. Once biometric registration becomes standard, EES will allow for faster, automated entry checks, fewer manual errors, and shorter processing times.

Still, for many Indian tourists, especially those unfamiliar with European immigration systems, the first few experiences might feel overwhelming.

What Should Travellers Do to Prepare?

Here are some tips to make the transition easier:

How EES Fits Into Europe's Larger Border Plan

EES is only the first part of Europe's broader border modernisation strategy.

Next year, the EU will roll out another major system -- the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).

Under ETIAS, citizens of visa-exempt countries (like the US, UK, Canada, and Japan) will need to apply online for travel authorisation before entering the EU -- similar to the US ESTA system.

While Indian travellers already require Schengen visas, ETIAS will complement EES by tightening checks on all non-EU visitors.

Together, EES and ETIAS will mark the EU's biggest border control transformation in decades -- replacing the old stamp-and-paper system with a fully digital travel ecosystem.

Will EES Affect Schengen Visa Applications?

For now, the Schengen visa process for Indians remains unchanged. You will still need to apply through VFS or the respective embassy, submit documents, and provide biometrics at the visa application stage. However, once you arrive in Europe, you will also go through EES biometric registration at the border -- a separate process from visa biometrics.

So yes, you will effectively be providing fingerprints twice: once at the visa stage, and once at the point of entry.

The Bigger Picture: A New Era Of Travel

The Entry/Exit System is part of a global trend. Many countries, including the US, UK, Singapore, and UAE, already use biometric systems for immigration.

For Europe, this represents both modernisation and control. In the age of increased migration, terrorism fears, and border pressures, digital tracking allows authorities to better manage who comes and goes.

For travellers, it is a double-edged sword -- greater efficiency and fewer errors, but less anonymity and longer first encounters.

Is Travelling To Europe About To Get Tougher? What's The New Airport Rule, & What It Means For Indians