Kredit: Global Residenc Index, Unsplash
Growing up in the EU, I didn’t even know what all the blank pages in my passport were for until I could afford to travel further afield. After Brexit I actually became a fan of it, my Passport stamp in Athina, København or Málaga and think about my travels. But this short-lived pastime will soon be replaced by this new entry/exit system (EES) in the EU be replaced.
What is the EU EES system?
The EES is a automated system for registration of non-EU citizens traveling for a short stay (90 days) to the EU travel. Instead of the current process where the passport is physically stamped in and out, entries, exits or refusals of entry will be registered electronically in the EES.
The EES will Register biometric data about entries and exits and refusals of entryto identify overstayers, combat identity fraud and improve border security. The price of this is the loss of our beautiful stamps and the creation of around 30 unnecessary pages in our passports.
How does the EES work?
Image credit: 1000 Words, Shutterstock
The new system that is on 10. November comes into force will be fully automated. When you enter the country you will be at the border Photo and your fingerprints takenwhile your passport is being scanned. The EU will then store your data for three years before deleting it.
Which countries will abolish passport stamps?
And Dietrich, Unsplash
The change will be in fast all EU countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – the so-called Schengen area. Only in Cyprus and Ireland are passports still stamped by hand, even though they belong to the European Union.
However, numerous other countries are already foregoing passport stamps for various reasons. This includes Argentina, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Macau, Cuba, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Jamaica and Singapore. There is no passport stamp in Antarctica either, but that’s mainly because there is no national authority there – and you can request a souvenir stamp…
entry/exit system france
The End of an Era: EU’s New Entry/Exit System (EES) to Replace Traditional Passport Stamps
As a travel enthusiast, I must admit that the thrill of collecting passport stamps has been a highlight of my journeys. However, with the European Union’s (EU) impending introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), this nostalgic tradition is about to become a thing of the past.
According to recent reports, the EES is set to launch in November 2024, marking a significant shift in the way non-EU travelers, including those from the UK, are registered and monitored upon entering and exiting the EU [1].
So, what exactly is the Entry/Exit System? In simple terms, it’s an automated IT system designed to electronically monitor and record border crossings, specifically for travelers from third-countries, including both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt individuals System”>[2].
While the EES is undoubtedly a step forward in terms of security and efficiency, I must admit that I’ll miss the traditional passport stamps. There’s something romantic about the physical act of stamping a passport, the ritual of which has been a beloved part of travel experiences for decades.
As I look back on my own travels, I’m reminded of the numerous passport stamps I’ve collected over the years. Each one tells a story, a memory of a place visited, a culture experienced, and a moment in time captured. The EES, while efficient and necessary, will undoubtedly alter the way we document our travels, and I’m not sure I’m ready to bid farewell to this nostalgic tradition just yet.
As the EU embarks on this new chapter in border management, it will be interesting to see how the EES is received by travelers and member states alike. While security and efficiency are paramount, I hope that the EU will find ways to preserve the charm and romance of travel, even in the digital age.
