The European Union will be rolling out a new digital border control system in October that will replace the manual stamping of passports.
The new “Entry/Exit System” (EES) will include automated registration for msot travellers outside of the EU.
The initiative has been pushed back many times, as it is nationally scheduled to start in 2022, but is now set to be rolled out over a period of six months starting six months.
While the system aims to eventually create shorter waiting times at passport control, the Australian government has warned it may initially create longer queues on the Smartraveller platform.
EES will apply to any non-EU nationals who are admitted into the Schengen Zone for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
The Schengen Zone is made up of 29 countries, including four non-EU countries.
Australian travellers wishing to enter the zone will need to have their fingerprints and photo taken, and answer Schengen Border Code questions on their first visit to Europe.
People will be able to do this at a self-service system if available at the location or, once it's up and running, use a mobile app.
It will apply to anyone who is travelling for tourism, medical treatment, or business medical treatment.
Europe has become a popular destination for Australians, and according to ANZ, its customers will spend up to A$280 million across June, July and August this year, which marks a 10% increase from 2024.
Having left the European Union, the U.K. will not be included in the EES.
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