39 Countries Will Require Fingerprints From U.S. Travelers—Is Your Next Trip On The List?

For years, we at Journey Off Path have been monitoring the excitement across the European Union’s new high-tech border methods. It has been a complicated journey of delays and hypothesis, however the first main change is lastly right here, and it begins subsequent month.

The long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) is kicking off, however not with the large, simultaneous launch many anticipated. As an alternative, we’re seeing a staggered, country-by-country rollout that may change how Individuals enter Europe.

However earlier than we get into the brand new adjustments, you is likely to be shocked to be taught that a number of nations have already got these measures in place.

Nations Already Requiring Fingerprinting

Whereas the brand new system in Europe is making headlines, biometric assortment will not be a brand new idea globally. When you’ve traveled internationally, you might have already had your fingerprints and picture taken. Individuals are at the moment required to supply this knowledge when getting into these 10 nations:

• Argentina: Count on a fingerprint scan and picture on each entry and exit.
• China: International guests (usually ages 14-70) present fingerprints and a facial picture.
• India: Vacationers utilizing an e-Visa have their biometric knowledge captured upon arrival.
• Japan: An extended-standing observe the place most international nationals present two index finger scans and a photograph.
• South Korea: Guests 17 and over present fingerprints and a photograph, enabling future use of automated gates.
• Singapore: First-time guests enroll their iris, facial, and fingerprint knowledge to hurry up future entries.
• Kenya: Immigration captures each fingerprints and a facial {photograph} on arrival.
• South Africa: Ports of entry accumulate fingerprints and a photograph as a part of an ongoing safety rollout.
• Russia: Obligatory biometric screening for international vacationers is in impact at entry factors.
• Kuwait: Biometric fingerprinting is required and may be accomplished on the airport upon arrival.

The Massive Change Coming To Europe Subsequent Month

That is the place essentially the most vital shift for American vacationers is going on. The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is lastly launching, and it is formally changing passport stamps.

This is a easy breakdown of what is taking place:

What Is The EES?

As an alternative of a border guard stamping your passport, you’ll use a self-service kiosk to scan it. In your first entry into a rustic utilizing the system, you can be required to supply biometric knowledge: particularly, 4 fingerprints and a facial {photograph}. This info is then securely saved for 3 years, making your subsequent journeys sooner.

EES vs. ETIAS: What’s The Distinction?

It is a essential level of confusion. EES and ETIAS are two fully various things.

• The EES (The Kiosk): That is the bodily course of you will do on the border to get your fingerprints/picture taken.
• The ETIAS (The Web site): That is the on-line journey authorization (20 Euros) you will have to use for earlier than you journey. The ETIAS is now scheduled to launch within the final quarter of 2026.

Croatia & Spain Lead The Method Beginning October 12

Croatia would be the first European nation to formally activate its EES system, which was adopted rapidly by Spain. Beginning October 12, 2025, when you’re flying into airports like Zagreb (ZAG) or Dubrovnik (DBV) or Madrid (MAD), you can be directed to the brand new EES kiosks to finish this course of.

What About The Relaxation Of Europe?

For the following a number of months, vacationers will face a patchwork of methods. The opposite 28 nations within the Schengen Zone are actually anticipated to have their coordinated launch within the first half of 2026. So, whilst you’ll use a kiosk in Croatia subsequent month, you’ll probably nonetheless get a traditional passport stamp when you fly on to France, Italy, or Spain.

Listed below are the opposite nations set to implement the EES in 2026:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, 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.

To see in case your subsequent journey is on the listing, kind your nation within the device beneath to see! And as all the time, for essentially the most up-to-date entry necessities, use our Journey Entry Requirement Checker right here.