What travelers should know about Europe's new Entry/Exit System

MoneyWatch Heading to Europe this summer? What to know about the EU's new Entry/Exit system. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Mary Cunningham Mary Cunningham Reporter, MoneyWatch Mary Cunningham is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. She previously worked at "60 Minutes," CBSNews.com and CBS News 24/7 as part of the CBS News Associate Program. Read Full Bio Mary Cunningham June 2, 2026 / 2:12 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Gearing up for a trip to Europe this summer? Experts say to be prepared for potential disruptions as countries iron out wrinkles of the European Union's so-called Entry/Exit System, a new border management process that requires travelers to submit biometric data when they arrive in certain locations."The goal is for people to be able to move through immigration without needing to stop and have their passport stamped," Julian Kheel, CEO and founder of Points Path, a flight awards search engine, told CBS News. "Once the bugs are shaken out, I do think we'll end up with a faster process, but it could be a while before we get there."Here's what to expect if you're traveling to Europe soon. What is the European Union's new Entry/Exit System?The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully operational in April, replaces passport stamps and aims to speed up border processing for travelers. The system requires Americans and other non-EU nationals to submit biometric data, including fingerprints and a facial scan, as well as passport details, upon arrival in certain countries overseas. That information is used to verify travelers' identity and track their entry and exit at border checkpoints — for example, when they leave the country to return to the U.S. or cross into other participating countries. Twenty-nine countries use the Entry/Exit System, mostly in the EU, except for Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. All participating nations are...