There’s a huge change coming up to American travelers going to Europe. And the Ministry of the Interior of Croatia is testing it out first. From October 12, 2025, Croatia will be using the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is a new European Union border check that replacing passport stamps. And for what exactly? Your fingerprints.
On your first entry: you’ll have to use a kiosk, scan your passport, then give your four fingerprints, and take a quick photo. The whole idea is that after you’ve done that once, the your future trips will be faster because the system knows who you are.
This trials starts in Croatia, so if you’re flying to Zagreb or Dubrovnik, get ready for this new process.
Other European airports like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Rome Fiumicino, and Madrid Barajas are getting ready too. But no need to panic if you see EES kiosks there. They are not going to be available just yet.
What’s changing for Americans
Until now, entering Europe usually was the same as any other country; a friendly hello and a passport stamp. But with EES, Croatia becomes the first EU stop where many American travelers will experience a fully digital entry. Here’s what’s changing from October 12, 2025:
- You’ll go to a self-service kiosk instead of a stamping desk.
- You will have to scan your passport, register four fingerprints, and take a picture of your face. But this will only happen one time.
- All the info about your entries and exits will be stored securely for the next three years to speed up your next trips while in the airport.
- And on your next visits, you’ll probably just do a quick face scan instead of repeating fingerprints.
Why is the European Union doing all of this? Let’s answer this question: they have been planning this tech actually for years and is finally putting it into action. Croatia is moving first, and in the mean time many other EU countries are already preparing for a wider launch later.
EES vs. ETIAS: what’s the difference?
These two words are too similar to not be confusing, so let’s keep it simple:
- Entry/Exit System (EES): this is the kiosk at the border. Which main goal is replacing the passport stamp with a digital record. First visit? passport scan + four fingerprints + photo. Later visits? usually just a quick face scan.
- ETIAS: is a separate travel authorization, is actually not the same thing at all. The ETIAS is an online permission you may need before you travel in the future, while EES is the actual process you go through when you arrive.
What about the rest of Europe?
The European Union is going from passport stamps to a smart, biometric system at the border. I guess we’re on the digital era after all. So here’s a few tips to make the change smoother:
- Arrive a little early. So you have time to go through the process with no rush.
- Follow the signs. Look for EES or Entry/Exit System (EES) kiosks and prepare your passport in advance.
- Stay calm. After your first registration, the next trips will be much faster.
If your American and you’re going to Croatia after October 12, 2025, congrats, you might be one of the first to experience the digital recognition in airports.
In other places like in Paris, Rome, and Madrid, you may be able to see EES kiosks already but still get a stamp. In European countries with bigger flux of people, trial may need a bit more preparation. Which also means that for this first trip, if you have scales, you will have to also stamp your passport in some places.