Biometrics Instead of Manual Stamps at Borders – New Entry and Exit Rules for the EU

The European Union is initiating the implementation of a new fingerprint verification system at borders, which will replace manual passport stamping and help more efficiently monitor the immigration status of visitors. Full implementation is expected by April 2026.

The European Union is embarking on a major reform of border control management by introducing a new fingerprint verification system. The system, which will be integrated at ports, airports, and railway stations, is planned to launch within the next six months. According to the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, the innovation will allow for better tracking of who enters, when, and where in the EU.

The system, which will function similarly to electronic gates already in use in many airports, will enable government officials to verify information regarding immigration status and visa fraud. It is set to replace traditional passport stamps with a modern digital recording system. Operators will also register biometric photographs and fingerprints of citizens arriving in or departing from the EU.

Urania Georgoutsakou, head of the lobbying group Airlines for Europe, emphasizes the importance of a proper system launch, as much will depend on its performance in the early days and the availability of staff at control posts to process passengers without delays.

The system will be implemented in 29 Schengen Area countries, including Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. At the same time, the system will not affect persons who possess EU residence permits or long-term visas.

Machines at Eurostar stations, before passenger registration, will not only collect biometric data but also ask standard questions such as the possession of a return ticket or financial means. Passengers arriving from the UK to the EU by plane or ferry will undergo checks at local control points.

This initiative is part of the EU’s strategy to enhance border control, which was agreed upon back in 2017 but had its implementation delayed to allow for testing and resolution of technical issues.