EU Launches Biometric Entry/Exit System This October; ETIAS Fee to Jump to €20

The European Commission has confirmed that its long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) will be officially launched on October 12, 2025. This marks the beginning of a six-month phase-in period across the Schengen Area, replacing traditional passport stamps with automated biometric tracking for non‑EU travelers.

What Is EES?

• Under the new system, all non‑EU nationals—including U.S., U.K., and other visa‑exempt visitors—will have their fingerprints and facial images recorded at their first entry via self-service kiosks or border officers.
  
  
• The EES will store entry and exit timestamps, managing compliance with the 90-day stay rule across a 180‑day period and enhancing overstayer detection and fraud prevention.
  
  
• The roll‑out will be complete by April 9, 2026, after which passport stamps will be entirely phased out.

ETIAS Authorization Fee Nearly Triples

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS)—a mandatory online travel waiver for visa‑exempt visitors—is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. Importantly, the Commission announced that the fee has increased from €7 to €20, citing operational costs, inflation, and parity with systems like ESTA (U.S.) and ETA (U.K.).

• The new fee applies to adult applicants aged 18–70 from over 60 visa‑exempt countries.
  
  
• Exemptions include travelers under 18 or over 70, as well as family members of EU citizens, following existing rules.
  
  
• Once granted, ETIAS authorization remains valid for three years or until passport expiration, whichever is sooner

Implications & Traveler Guidance

This two-tiered overhaul—first biometric entry via EES, then pre‑trip authorization via ETIAS—marks a major step in modernizing EU border control.

• The EES launch may cause initial delays at airports, seaports, and land crossings, particularly during the early months as self-service kiosks and infrastructure are installed.
  
  
• ETIAS fees now align with those of other major destination countries, sparking some criticism over affordability and transparency amid rising travel costs

Traveler Tips

• Don’t expect passport stamping starting October 2025—biometric registration will become mandatory for short-term stays by non‑EU nationals.
  
  
• Plan your travel timeline accordingly, leaving extra buffer time at entry points during the system’s rollout phase.
  
  
• Budget for the new ETIAS fee if you're applying between the ages of 18 and 70 for visits to the Schengen area in late 2026 and beyond.
  
  

This change heralds a significant shift in how millions of global travelers will enter Europe, ushering in biometric security, digital authorization, and a new standard in border management.