After years of discussion and preparation, the European Union is officially beginning to roll out its long-anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES). While the system doesn’t take full effect immediately, starting October 12, 2025, all U.S. passport holders entering participating EU countries will be required to submit to fingerprinting and facial recognition upon arrival.
What is the EES—and What’s Coming Next?
The EES is part one of a two-phase overhaul of Europe’s border entry process. Think of EES as the “hardware” side: the physical infrastructure like scanners, cameras, and kiosks is being installed across airports, ports, and land borders.
The second phase—expected sometime in 2026—is called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). ETIAS is essentially the “software” piece: a new digital visa requirement for travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., Canada, and others across North America.
How Will This Affect Travelers?
Once ETIAS is fully in place, all travelers from visa-exempt countries will need to register online in advance to visit any of the 30 participating European countries. The authorization will allow stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Under the EES, travelers aged 13 and older will be required to:
- Present their passport
- Submit to fingerprinting
- Consent to a facial recognition scan (photo taken on site)
Travelers aged 12 and under will still present a passport and may have their photo taken, but will not be fingerprinted.
For those simply connecting through Europe on their way to another destination—such as travelers headed to Israel—ETIAS will not be required as long as you remain in the international transit area of the airport. However, if you plan to leave the airport for any reason, even briefly, you will be required to have ETIAS authorization.
It’s also important to note that EES still applies at European airports, even for transit (layover) passengers, as this system is tied to border control procedures—not just long-term entry. So don’t be surprised if facial recognition technology or fingerprinting is part of your transfer experience, even without stepping fully into the EU.
Lastly, travelers should be aware that there is no option to opt out of these new procedures. Declining to participate in biometric screening or failing to secure ETIAS approval (when required) will result in being denied entry—and in many cases, may prevent you from boarding your flight altogether.
What Will This Cost?
Good question—and as of now, we don’t have a definitive answer. Originally, ETIAS was projected to cost around $8 USD per person, but recent updates suggest the fee could increase to approximately $24 USD. The EU has not finalized this figure, so for now, there is no cost associated, as ETIAS itself has not yet launched.
What to Expect at the Airport
Until all equipment is installed and procedures finalized, the experience at customs may vary:
- Some airports are already using fully automated digital gates
- Others may offer a hybrid approach with both digital and manual processing
- Several locations still rely entirely on in-person passport checks
For now, travelers should expect occasional delays at customs, especially at peak travel times (specifically surrounding the holidays). We recommend ensuring your passport has ample blank pages available, as some locations may still stamp passports even if digital systems are in place, as they may not be fully operational at the time of your arrival.
Final Thoughts (For Now…)
Let’s be honest: all of this is a bit of a moving target. EES and ETIAS are actively evolving, and while today’s information is accurate, it’s very possible that some policies or procedures may shift before your trip.
For the most up-to-date guidance:
- Check with your airline’s app or website for boarding requirements
- Visit our News page regularly for updates
- Or feel free to Contact Us—we’re happy to help!
We’ll continue to monitor these changes and keep you informed.
Information current as of July 28, 2025.