Passport Stamps Become History: Biometric Data Collection

The most significant step in the technology and security-based transformation of global tourism is coming from Europe. The European Union is officially ushering in the biometric era with the Entry/Exit System (EES) and its complementary program ETIAS, which will radically transform border management across 29 countries. The new system is expected to roll out gradually from October 2025.

This major infrastructural reform will not only reshape border security mechanisms but also redefine the travel experience for all non-EU visitors to the Schengen Zone — including citizens of the Republic of Türkiye.

EES: A New Border Management Model Built on Efficiency and Security

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a next-generation digital border management system introduced at the EU’s external borders. Its primary goal is to eliminate the long-standing manual passport stamping process and to digitally record travel data for short-term visitors (those subject to the 90/180-day rule).

The manual stamping procedure has long been time-consuming and limited in terms of both security and data accuracy. EES changes this by automatically recording each traveler’s entry and exit dates, border crossing points, and biometric data (such as facial recognition and fingerprints).

This allows the system to calculate, in real time, how long a traveler has stayed within the Schengen Zone, thereby enhancing border security and speeding up the control process.

The automated structure makes it easier to detect overstays while streamlining travel for frequent visitors. At the same time, EES will standardize data sharing among EU member states, creating a unified digital infrastructure for migration management and security policies.

New Standards: Biometric Data and Digital Registration

Because manual passport stamping has proven unreliable and insufficient for detecting overstays, EES will introduce comprehensive biometric data collection:

Biometric Data Capture: Upon their first entry, travelers from non-EU countries will provide a facial image and four fingerprints, which will be digitally stored. Children under 12 will be exempt from fingerprint collection.

Data and Retention: Personal information such as full name, date of birth, type of travel document, and entry/exit dates and locations will also be collected and stored in the system — in some cases for up to five years.

Potential and Risks for the Travel Industry

EES represents a long-term digital transformation initiative designed to speed up border control, minimize human error, and prevent identity fraud. However, industry experts have voiced several concerns about its implementation phase.

The system is expected to be fully deployed across all EU member states by the end of 2026. During this transitional period, temporary congestion and longer wait times are anticipated, especially at land borders and smaller regional airports, due to mandatory biometric registration (facial and fingerprint scanning).

Once fully operational, self-service e-gates will become available for biometric passport holders, allowing for faster, contactless identity verification without direct interaction with border officers. However, as the system expands, new debates are emerging over the collection, storage, and cross-border sharing of personal data. Similar systems in the United States have previously raised privacy and cybersecurity concerns — issues that are now being discussed within European public opinion as well. For this reason, EES is seen not just as a technology project but also as a defining test of the EU’s digital security and privacy policies.

ETIAS: Expanding the Security Perimeter with Pre-Travel Authorization

Following EES, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will be introduced as the second stage of the reform. ETIAS will serve as a mandatory pre-travel authorization system for citizens of visa-exempt countries, including Türkiye. Its implementation is planned for the final quarter of 2026, following full EES deployment. Applications will be submitted through an online portal, with a fee of €20. Once approved, the ETIAS authorization will be digitally linked to the applicant’s passport and remain valid for three years.

ETIAS aims to pre-screen travelers and identify potential security risks before departure — further tightening border security when used alongside EES.