Traveling to and within Europe is undergoing rapid changes, with airports, ports, land crossings, and biometric systems expanding. Simultaneously, important travel rules are also transforming.
Previously, governments acted to modernize border controls in preparation for the rollout of the EU’s Entry/Exit system. Notably, the EU also postponed the launch of the ETIAS travel authorization. Overall, these two systems represent a significant shift in European travel.
With such new technology, travelers can expect new entry and exit rules. Meanwhile, land routes face stricter enforcement with new cross-border cooperation. Hence, travelers and tour operators must brace themselves for a meticulous transition period ahead.
Europe’s Border Overhaul
At the center of these changes sits the Entry/Exit System, or the EES. Specifically, the system will digitally record entries and exits for non-EU travelers.
Correspondingly, instead of passport stamps, the EES will rely on fingerprints and facial images. Officials say the shift improves accuracy and security. However, it also requires massive infrastructure upgrades.
For now, the European Commission plans for EES to become fully operational in 2026. Therefore, member states are racing to prepare checkpoints. So far, airports and ports face the most immediate pressure.
According to EU estimates, EES will affect more than 700 million border crossings annually. Hence, this scale explains the urgency behind recent investments.
Brussels’ Major Biometric Upgrade
In particular, one of the most visible upgrades occurred at Brussels Airport. In January, the airport completed a sweeping border-control overhaul.
Notably, the project added 61 self-service biometric enrollment kiosks and 36 automated e-gates. Additionally, officials installed 12 new staffed booths. Overall, the goal is to manage first-time biometric registration smoothly.
Airport authorities invested approximately €24 million in the upgrade. As a result, Brussels Airport now ranks among Europe’s most EES-ready hubs.
According to a Brussels Airport spokesperson, the system was stress-tested using peak passenger volumes.
However, officials warned of longer waits during the initial rollout. Hence, first-time travelers may need several minutes to register biometric data. Therefore, early arrivals will be encouraged during peak periods.
Spanish Ports Expand Biometric Controls
Airports are not the only focus in Europe. In fact, Spain is also extending biometric borders to maritime entry points.
Currently, technology firm Inetum is installing scanners at two southern ports. Specifically, the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa handle heavy ferry traffic from North Africa.
Together, the ports process millions of passengers each year. Now, they will use facial recognition and fingerprint capture under EES rules.
According to Biometric Update, the project includes passport kiosks and self-service terminals. Importantly, EU funding supports the phased deployment.
But Spanish officials see ports as a critical security gap. Unlike airports, ferries often mix vehicles, cargo, and foot passengers. Therefore, consistent biometric checks are considered essential.
All in all, the move reflects a broader EU strategy. Biometrics will cover air, sea, and land borders equally. So, in practice, no entry point will remain exempt.
Hungary and Austria Strengthen Cooperation
While technology dominates airports, land borders rely on coordination. In January, Austria and Hungary updated a bilateral border-traffic accord.
In particular, the agreement aligns joint patrols with the modernized Schengen Borders Code. Correspondingly, it allows cross-border police operations within 10 kilometers of the frontier.
Notably, officers may now use portable biometric scanners that connect directly to EES and the Visa Information System.
Officials say the changes improve response times. In addition, they reduce duplication between national authorities.
However, civil liberties groups remain cautious. They argue that mobile biometric checks require strict oversight. So far, governments insist safeguards remain in place.
Land crossings account for a significant share of regional movement. In 2024, Austria recorded more than 40 million land border crossings. That volume underscores why cooperation matters.
Revised Timeline for ETIAS
While EES advances, ETIAS faces another delay. The European Travel Information and Authorization System will not launch until late 2026.
ETIAS will apply to visa-exempt travelers to Europe, including US and UK citizens. Applicants will need online approval before travel. The authorization will remain valid for three years.
For now, travelers can still enter without ETIAS. As such, this provides short-term relief for tourists and business travelers. Nevertheless, uncertainty complicates long-term planning.
Nevertheless, the delay reflects technical dependencies.
Overall, airlines and tour operators welcome the pause. But they fear that overlapping system launches could disrupt summer travel. Therefore, staging the rollout reduces risk.
What Travelers to Europe Should Expect in 2026
Despite delays, change is unavoidable. Soon, biometric enrollment will become mandatory for most non-EU visitors. Initially, border processing may feel slower.
Over time, automation should speed repeat crossings. EU officials estimate processing times could drop by 30 percent after stabilization. Hence, this efficiency remains the long-term goal.
As such, travelers should prepare documents in advance. Moreover, they should also monitor official guidance before departure. Airports increasingly recommend arriving earlier during rollout phases.
For frequent travelers, adaptation will be key, as biometrics will replace manual checks across Europe. Once complete, borders will look very different.
Europe’s Borders Enter a Defining Year
Europe is entering its largest border transformation in decades. Biometrics now anchors security, efficiency, and data accuracy.
At the same time, delays show modernization is not simple. Hence, governments must balance technology, privacy, and passenger flow.
As 2026 approaches, travelers will notice the difference. Europe’s borders are becoming smarter, stricter, and increasingly digital.
Photo by Pim de Boer on Unsplash
