The EU’s new biometric border system has come into full effect, introducing fingerprint and facial recognition checks for non-EU travellers, including Canadians, entering Europe.
The Entry/Exit System (EES), launched through a phased rollout beginning Oct. 12, 2025, was fully implemented April 10 across all EU countries—with the exception of Cyprus and Ireland, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
The system eliminates manual passport stamping and creates a centralised digital record of traveller movements, according to the European Council. In Cyprus and Ireland, despite being countries of the European Union, passports will still be stamped manually.
The system will apply to all non-EU nationals travelling to Europe on a short stay of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This period is calculated as a single period for all the European countries using the EES….