Europe rolls out biometrics

Europe has begun requiring fingerprints and facial scans at external borders as its Entry/Exit System became fully operational on April 10, 2026. (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) The Entry/Exit System replaces passport stamps with digital records of entries, exits and refusals for non‑EU nationals visiting for short stays of up to 90 days. (travel-europe.europa.eu) (travel-europe.europa.eu) The rollout began a progressive launch on October 12, 2025 and, the European Commission says, recorded more than 45 million border crossings during that staged period. (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) Commission data show border guards have used EES biometrics to refuse over 24,000 people and to identify more than 600 individuals deemed security risks during the rollout. (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) Airports and airlines warned in February that the EES rollout has already produced waits of up to two hours at some controls and could reach four hours during peak summer travel without fixes. (iata.org) From April 10, carriers are required to verify passengers’ entry rights before boarding via the EU carrier interface, moving a portion of checks from arrival halls to check‑in desks. (vfsglobal.com) The European Commission has said member states may use limited temporary suspensions or flexibility for up to 90 days after rollout to ease queues at busy border crossings. (biometricupdate.com) Under EES rules, biometric and travel records are normally kept for three years from the last recorded exit and may be retained for up to five years in cases of overstays. (schengenvisainfo.com) Civil‑liberties groups including Statewatch and European Digital Rights have warned the system increases surveillance of travellers and urged stronger safeguards and oversight. (statewatch.org) The Commission points to cases where EES biometrics uncovered identity fraud at borders, while airlines say they will monitor operational impacts closely as Europe enters the summer travel peak. (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu) (home-affairs.ec.europa.eu)