Anyone who manages to secure a flight to Europe in the coming month is expected to encounter a dramatic shift at border crossings. Beginning Friday, April 10, the European Union’s digital Entry/Exit System, or EES, will be fully operational, replacing manual passport stamping with computerized biometric registration.
All travelers who are not EU citizens, including Israelis, will be required to undergo biometric registration during their first entry to the continent, including facial scans and fingerprinting. The data will be stored in the system for three years.
The goal is to enhance security and prevent fraud. One way to prepare is through the “Travel to Europe” app, which is already in use at major airports across the continent and is expected to expand to additional countries. The app allows travelers to submit passport details and a facial image up to 72 hours before arrival, and travelers are advised to check whether their destination country supports it before departure.
The system is designed to shorten processing times per traveler over the long term. However, in the initial phase, when each traveler must complete a first-time biometric registration, wait times are expected to increase significantly.
The EES is only the first step. It is expected to operate alongside the European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, which is slated to launch between October and December 2026. ETIAS will require travelers from more than 60 countries, including Israel, to apply for advance authorization for a fee.