Beginning in 2025, travelers entering the European Union, including those from visa-exempt countries such as the United States will be fingerprinted and have a facial recognition image taken under the incoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System’s (ETIAS) Entry/Exit System (EES).
Previously, Americans only needed a passport to visit E.U. countries.
“ETIAS travel authorization is an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling to any of these 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS travel authorization,” the EU said on November 11. “With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, you can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays – normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions.”
Part of the ETIAS documentation process includes facial recognition imaging and fingerprint scanning into the EES.
“The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third-countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register the person’s name, type of the travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit,” the E.U. said on October 9.
The E.U. specified what biometrics will be recorded for visa-exempt travelers, such as those carrying a U.S. passport.
“…the system will store 4 of your fingerprints and your facial image. Currently, the fingerprints of children below 12 years old are not scanned, even if they are subject to the EES,” the E.U. said November 11.
Many travelers will even have to pay to undergo the new process.
“Once the program starts, some 1.4 billion people from the U.S. and dozens of other countries will need ETIAS to enter 30 European countries. The document will cost €7, or about $7.50; however, travelers under 18 years old or over 70 will not have to pay a fee. The ETIAS travel pass will be valid for three consecutive years,” Forbes said in April.
The system will be phased in over six-months beginning in 2025, initially it was planned to go into effect at the same time in all countries. The system was announced in a press release in 2017.
“On Wednesday, the European Commission outlined the phased approach for the digital border scheme and submitted it to the European Parliament and the Council for adoption. Once approved, E.U. member states and the E.U.’s main IT agency EU-LISA will have six months to deploy the EES,” Biometric Update said Friday. “The new announcement signals a change in the E.U.’s plans which originally envisioned deploying the system simultaneously in every country. To allow for a progressive introduction of the border system, the E.U. will have to change the EES Regulation which requires all E.U. member states to start using it simultaneously and for all travelers. The new, adjusted regulation will allow countries to implement the EES gradually.”
The biometric scans will replace passport stamps, similar to concert tickets being replaced by smartphone QR codes.
“A part of the ETIAS, the EU’S Entry-Exit System (EES) is a fingerprint system meant to replace passport stamps and track how much time one has spent in the E.U. digitally,” The Street said in 2023.
“…when that happens, it will be goodbye to passport stamping, hello to digital checks,” E.U. Commissioner Ylva Johansson said on August 15, 2024.
Interestingly, Travel Pulse reported in September that Cyprus and Ireland will continue stamping passports, although it is unclear if biometric scans will still be conducted in those countries.
Infowars recently reported on other, more comprehensive, biometric scanning devices which record all fingerprints as well as eyeball scans, which are currently gaining adoption with other identification programs.
The U.S. and Japan already scan the fingerprints of travelers while iris scans are being trialed in the U.K.
Infowars also recently reported on a document published by the World Economic Forum that discussed the need for biometric sensors to be used as part of internet access.