Travel Alert: EU and Hungary require fingerprint and facial recognition
A total of 29 European countries will be affected by the new changes, including 25 EU member states that are part of the Schengen Area, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Why will fingerprints and facial recognition be used at Schengen borders?
From this autumn, a new era in border control will begin in the countries mentioned above. The most obvious change will be that travellers will no longer receive passport stamps when crossing borders. This marks the end of an era—no more showing off Hungarian or other Schengen, Norwegian, or Swiss entry stamps, as these will no longer be issued. Consequently, passports bearing such stamps could become valuable collectors’ items in the future.
Citizens of these 29 countries will still be able to travel freely within the system. In other words, Hungarians will not be affected by this change. The transformation, however, will notably impact so-called EES (Entry/Exit System) non-member states.
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Travel procedures to change drastically
From 12 October, citizens of non-EES countries will, in principle, no longer receive passport stamps. However, authorities have allowed a six-month transition period, so full implementation of the stamp-free system will take effect from 10 April next year.
What does this mean in practice? Travellers will no longer need to present their passports for stamping at border control. On their first entry after the system launches, non-EES nationals entering for short stays will provide biometric data—fingerprints and a facial image—which will be stored in a database. Additionally, personal information (name, nationality, travel documents), along with times and places of entry and exit, will also be recorded.
This will create an EES dossier for each individual, which will be stored for three years. On subsequent entries, only an electronic record will be made following identity verification.
A tool in fighting crime
This system replaces the need for passport stamping and helps authorities monitor the expiration of permitted stays, while also assisting in the fight against terrorism and other serious crimes. At some locations, self-service kiosks will be introduced as part of the new measures.
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Ireland, Bulgaria, and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen Area, so non-EU nationals will still receive passport stamps when travelling there.
What about Hungarian travellers?
Hungarians living outside Hungary could be exempt from inclusion in the new system if they hold Hungarian citizenship or belong to the Schengen Area. However, those who only hold Ukrainian or Serbian citizenship must prepare to provide the above-mentioned data to Hungarian authorities, as they will be considered non-EES nationals.
ETIAS system to be introduced from 2026
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is an automated platform that carries out pre-travel screening for visa-exempt third-country nationals wishing to enter the Schengen Zone. Its purpose is to enhance security, prevent illegal immigration, protect public health, and streamline border checks by allowing passengers to be pre-identified before crossing the EU’s external borders.
Travellers will need to complete an online form in advance, after which the system will conduct the necessary checks and may refuse travel authorisation if required.
The ETIAS system is being developed by the EU-LISA agency and is expected to become fully operational by the end of 2026, following multiple delays. A transitional period of at least six months will follow its launch, after which the system will become mandatory for visa-exempt third-country nationals.
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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That only applies to the schmucks who still bother traveling into the “E.U.” legally.
Take a nice ferry from North Africa or Turkey, and you bypass that whole rigamarole. Plus, you get all kinda of freebies, courtesy of the hardworking European taxpayers.
Who are these clowns kidding!?!?!?!
It’s interesting that during a six-month transition, stamps are being phased out, but full implementation (i.e. no stamps at all) is expected around 10 April next year. For non-EES nationals, the entry/exit record will include identity info, travel documents, and entry-exit times. That essentially builds a “dossier” for travelers, stored for three years.
I can see how that makes sense from a policy perspective—but for travelers it’ll definitely feel different. No more stamps means less physical proof of past trips, and the reliance on digital records raises questions about data privacy, accuracy, and system reliability.
One comforting note: citizens of Schengen/EES countries won’t be affected—they’ll still travel as they did before. But for non-EES visitors, this shift means you’ll need to be prepared: the first entry biometric check may take extra time, and documentation will need to be spotless.