Kredit: Global Residenc Index, Unsplash
Growing up in the EU, I didn’t even know what all the blank pages in my passport were for until I could afford to travel further afield. After Brexit I actually became a fan of it, my Passport stamp in Athina, København or Málaga and think about my travels. But this short-lived pastime will soon be replaced by this new entry/exit system (EES) in the EU be replaced.
What is the EU EES system?
The EES is a automated system for registration of non-EU citizens traveling for a short stay (90 days) to the EU travel. Instead of the current process where the passport is physically stamped in and out, entries, exits or refusals of entry will be registered electronically in the EES.
The EES will Register biometric data about entries and exits and refusals of entryto identify overstayers, combat identity fraud and improve border security. The price of this is the loss of our beautiful stamps and the creation of around 30 unnecessary pages in our passports.
How does the EES work?
Image credit: 1000 Words, Shutterstock
The new system that is on 10. November comes into force will be fully automated. When you enter the country you will be at the border Photo and your fingerprints takenwhile your passport is being scanned. The EU will then store your data for three years before deleting it.
Which countries will abolish passport stamps?
And Dietrich, Unsplash
The change will be in fast all EU countries as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – the so-called Schengen area. Only in Cyprus and Ireland are passports still stamped by hand, even though they belong to the European Union.
However, numerous other countries are already foregoing passport stamps for various reasons. This includes Argentina, Australia, Hong Kong, Israel, Macau, Cuba, the United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Jamaica and Singapore. There is no passport stamp in Antarctica either, but that’s mainly because there is no national authority there – and you can request a souvenir stamp…
