The European Union is implementing the EES, which replaces passport stamping.

The European Union (EU) has taken a historic step with the implementation of the EES (Entry/Exit System) , an automated system that will put an end to the traditional passport stamping.

Traveling to Europe has always been a dream for millions of people. Strolling down the avenues of Paris , getting lost among the palaces of Rome , savoring tapas in Madrid , or gazing at the Bosphorus from Istanbul are experiences that are etched in memory.

From October 2025, those crossing the borders of the Schengen Area will experience a new way of entering the continent: more modern, technological and secure.

The EES (Entry/Exit System) represents an evolution in European border control. Its objective is to modernize the registration of entries and exits of travelers from outside the European Union and the Schengen Area, including visa-free Latin American citizens . The system will automatically enforce the 90-day limit within any 180-day period .

With this change, the traditional practice of checking the country stamp in your passport will become a thing of the past. Once the European Economic Area (EEA) comes into effect, data will be recorded digitally and automatically , reducing errors, strengthening security, and facilitating immigration control throughout the European Union.

What exactly is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System is an automated border control system designed by the European Union to digitally record the entry and exit movements of all non-European travelers arriving on the continent.

Until now, the procedure involved manual passport stamping by border staff. With the new EES, this practice will be replaced by biometric and digital verification , which will collect data such as photographs and fingerprints the first time a traveler enters the Schengen area.

This registration will allow the authorities to automatically monitor the length of stay , preventing visitors from exceeding the permitted time and helping to detect cases of irregular entry or stay .

Changes for traveling to the European Union

For travelers, the change will be noticeable but simple. Starting with the implementation of the system:

• Manual passport stamping will be eliminated.
• Registration will be completely digital and mandatory both upon entry and exit.
• Biometric data, photo and fingerprints will be taken , only once per passport , on the first entry.
• The system will automatically monitor the 90-day limit within a 180-day period .
• The entry and exit history will be stored in a European database.

The passenger will not have to carry out any procedures before traveling; the entire process will be done once they arrive at the border or airport of the European country of destination.

Key implementation dates

The implementation of the Entry/Exit System will be phased in and will be developed in several stages:

• From October 12, 2025 , European countries will begin to gradually activate the system at their airports and external borders.
• Between October 2025 and April 2026, the different points of entry—air, sea, and land—will be incorporated.
• The system will be fully operational in all Schengen Area countries on April 10, 2026 .

During that period, travelers may experience initial delays , especially while fingerprinting and photography are being taken for the first time.

The end of the passport stamp marks a new era for global travelers . The Entry/Exit System promises faster, safer, and more efficient border crossings , aligned with the technological challenges of the 21st century.

Thus, as Europe moves towards the complete digitization of its borders, travelers will be able to continue fulfilling their dream of discovering the wonders of the continent, now under a system that protects, registers and facilitates their entry.

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