These Countries Will Require Biometric Data from Americans for Entry

🇪🇸 Leer la noticia original en español · Translated with AI from our original reporting in Spanish.

In the coming weeks and until its full implementation next year, U.S. citizens entering most European countries will be subject to new border control measures. Visitors will be required to provide their fingerprints and have their photo taken when crossing the border, as part of the gradual rollout of the new Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated mechanism that will replace passport stamps and electronically store personal data such as full name, date of birth, and entry and exit details.

Contents

Features of the New Regulation
Full List of Countries Implementing the Entry/Exit System (EES)

The official launch of the EES took place on October 12, 2025, with full adoption expected by the second quarter of 2026. The measures affect all travelers from outside the Schengen Area, the European zone where movement between nations is allowed without customs checks. Those who refuse to provide the required biometric data, such as fingerprints or facial images, will not be allowed to enter the countries enforcing the regulation.

Publicidad: trytransitnow.com (importado)

Traveling to Europe? These countries will require biometric data from Americans for entry — **Over 20 European Union countries will implement the EES measure. (EDUARDO PARRA / EUROPA PRESS)**

The information collected under the EES will be stored for approximately three years in most cases. If a person’s exit is not recorded, the data will be kept for five years; in addition, entry denials will also be logged. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting but may still be photographed. The stated goal of the European Union (EU) is to “modernize border management, combat identity fraud, and enhance security.”

Features of the New Regulation

This measure was developed after years of preparation and in response to increased migratory flows to Europe. The system aims to facilitate the enforcement of maximum stay limits, a rule that affects U.S. tourists and travelers of other nationalities. The EES will apply to EU member countries within the Schengen Area, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. In contrast, Cyprus and Ireland—which are not part of Schengen—are excluded from the new system.

Under current regulations, Americans may stay up to 90 days within a 180-day period in Schengen countries. Those wishing to extend their stay or work must apply for a visa from the country they plan to visit. Additionally, citizens who are family members of EU citizens or individuals with special conditions may be exempt from some of the procedures.