Ace Breaking News – In short: Australians travelling to Europe will have their faces and fingerprints scanned at borders across 29 countries from today.

What’s next? 

Travel experts are warning of delays at airports and land borders as the new Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into full effect. 

Australians travelling to Europe will be fingerprinted and face-scanned at the border from today, as authorities activate a sweeping new digital system designed to track who enters and leaves the continent.

Under the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), passport stamping will be replaced with biometric data collection across nearly 30 countries in the Schengen Zone, including France, Italy and Spain. 

Travellers could also be questioned about the reason for their visit.

The screening measures come as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global air travel, with thousands of flights cancelled and heightened uncertainty for travellers worldwide.

Since the EES began gradually rolling out last year, more than 25,000 people have been turned back from European countries for expired or fraudulent documents, or failing to justify the reason for their visit, according to the European Commission.

Mary Crock, a migration law expert at the University of Sydney, said the move reflected a broader global shift toward monitoring international travellers, at a time of growing instability linked to conflicts in the Middle East.

“We are now moving into an age where the need to be aware of who’s travelling where … has probably never been more important,”

Professor Crock said.

She said Australians were already familiar with biometric checks when travelling to countries like the United States, but Europe was “still catching up”.

Professor Mary Crock says Australians shouldn’t be concerned about the changes. (ABC News: Billy Cooper)normal

However, she said the scale and centralisation of data sharing between European countries was unprecedented.

“The difference is you’ve got a collective of countries rather than a central government … the level of technologies in different countries can vary markedly, but the need to monitor who is entering and leaving is consistent,” she said.

Travellers told to expect delays

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has warned that queues at European airports and land borders could be longer as the EES comes online.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents hundreds of airlines worldwide, said it had concerns ahead of the European summer, given what had already transpired during the staged rollout.

“There is a complete disconnect that EES is working well, and the reality, which is that non-EU travellers are experiencing massive delays and inconvenience,” IATA said in a statement.

“We need to be realistic about what will happen during the peak summer months, when traffic at Europe’s airports doubles.”

More than 25,000 people have been turned back from European countries for expired or fraudulent documents since the system began rolling out last year.(Reuters: Jack Taylor)normal

More security measures ahead

Europe is also rolling out another, separate border security measure, towards the end of the year.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), will require travellers from visa-exempt countries, including Australia, to apply for authorisation before departure — similar to Australia’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Experts say the scale and centralisation of data sharing between European countries is unprecedented. (Reuters: Hannah Mckay)normal

Professor Crock said the new systems were “fortuitous”, rather than something for Australians to be concerned about.

“Given the dangers that we’re facing with conflict in the Middle East, we are in a period where nobody quite knows what’s happening, who is going to try and retaliate and in what manner,” she said.

“So, for all of those reasons, getting on top of the electronics of movement is a very sensible thing to do.”

What is the EU Entry/Exit System (EES)?

The EES is a digital border system that replaces traditional passport stamping when entering or leaving the Schengen area. It records a traveller’s photo, fingerprints, and passport details each time they cross a border.

When does EES start?

The European Commission says the EES will be fully operational across all 29 participating European countries from April 10, 2026.

Who has to use EES?

Most non-EU citizens, including Australians, travelling for short stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period will use the EES. Children under 12 only need a facial scan. Irish passport holders and some EU residents are exempt.

How much does an EES cost?

Nothing. It’s free.

How do I go through EES at the border?

On arrival and departure, travellers will:

• Present their passport
• Have their photo taken and fingerprints scanned
• Possibly answer questions about their accommodation or the purpose of their visit
• Returning visitors need only a quick biometric check.

Will EES make border checks longer?

Possibly. Airports and travel experts are advising to allow extra time at airports, ports, and international train stations.

Which countries are part of EES?

All 29 Schengen/EU countries, including: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Cyprus and Ireland still use manual passport stamping.

How will EES affect connecting flights in Europe?

If you’re connecting through a Schengen airport, the EES checks happen at the first point of entry into the Schengen area. Travellers will provide their passport, facial scan, and fingerprints. Internal flights between Schengen countries usually do not require further checks.

Do I need anything before travelling to Europe?

No pre-registration is required. Just bring a valid passport, and have your travel and accommodation details ready.

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