Planning a trip to Europe? You might want to be aware of the new requirements coming in 2024 for Americans traveling to Europe.
Yes, we already spoke about ETIAS (which, by the way, has had its implementation delayed again to 2025. This time we are talking about Europe’s latest Entry/Exit System or EES.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EES is set to launch on November 10, 2024. This new system will replace the traditional passport stamping process at border controls, automatically registering your entry and exit points within the EU.
What to Expect
When you travel to Europe after EES implementation, you will be asked to provide your passport for scanning and take a facial photo and fingerprint registry at border control. This applies to most travelers, including UK citizens, except for Irish citizens and EU residents.
“American passport holders will not need to do anything before their travels, this is simply part of the entry process now”, states Melanie Nelson, Luxury Cruise Connections’ Concierge Specialist. “A lot of airports are already doing these biometric checking processes when they scan your face, and it’s simply what the world is coming to”, she adds.
Who It Applies To
The Entry/Exit System is set to be implemented at all border crossings within the EU. It will apply to all passport holders from what the EU calls a “third country” – namely those who are not EU or Schengen area citizens.
The EES will apply to short-stay travelers – visits, holidays, or business trips that have a total duration of up to 90 days within 180 days. American passport holders, except for those who already have EU residency, will go through this extra step when arriving at your destination or airport.
This new system is meant to prevent irregular migration, efficiently identifying over-stayers, as well as cases of document and identity fraud.
In addition to this, the system will allow wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which are quicker and more comfortable for the traveler.
What Else Is There To Know About EES
For cruise travelers, EES requirements will depend on your itinerary. If you are taking a flight to Europe to board your cruise, you will go through this process at your airport of arrival and exit, and will not go through it again when traveling along the European Union.
For cruisers on a round-trip starting outside of Europe, no physical registration in EES is required for transit stops at Schengen Ports.
In conclusion, however, if you are planning to travel to Europe after November 2024 these requirements will not affect your arrangements at all.
For more detailed information, please take a look at the official EES information website created by the European Union, and make sure to ask your travel advisor. As you can see though, other than losing every traveler’s favorite souvenir, aka passport stamps, these new requirements coming in 2024 for Americans traveling to Europe are nothing to worry about.
As we mentioned EES, we cannot help but bring out another new requirement for American passport holders, this one coming in 2025: The ETIAS travel authorization form. As of May 2025, ETIAS will be finally implemented. This travel authorization will be now emitted via the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).
While that is something to be a little more prepared for, as it requires filling out a form before your travels, it is also no major cause for concern. If you are unsure of what we are talking about, please check our dedicated blog post on the matter, answering all the bigger questions regarding this new travel authorization.
Stay updated on the latest information by checking official EU sources and consulting with your travel advisor.
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