🛃 EU Entry/Exit System (EES) Update

Effective: October 12, 2025
Applies to: 🇺🇸 U.S. Citizens and other non-EU travelers
Destination: 🇮🇹 Italy + 28 EU countries

🔍 What Is EES?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces manual passport stamping with a secure digital record of:

🧾 Name + travel document type
- Passport Scan Required
- Short questionnaire on entry
🧠 Biometric data (fingerprints + facial image)
📍 Entry/exit dates + locations
🚫 Refusals of entry (if applicable)

💡 Why It Matters

⏱️ Faster border checks via kiosks
🛡️ Enhanced security + fraud prevention
📊 Better tracking of overstays
🧳 Smoother travel for compliant visitors

🗓️ Rollout Timeline

Phase	Date	Details
Initial Launch	Oct 12, 2025	Begins at select EU borders
Full Rollout	Apr 10, 2026	Mandatory across all EU borders

🧭 Group Travel Tip

Ensure all travelers have valid biometric passports.
✅ Pre-check excursion timing to avoid border delays.
✅ Confirm accessibility needs for kiosk use.

🔗 Resources

🎯 Excursions and Transfers?

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As you may have heard today, the European Union (EU) issued recommendations to limit travel from the U.S. and has removed the U.S from their Safe Country list. Please note that the recommendation is non-binding, and each individual EU country has the right to set their own guidelines as it pertains to traveler entry.

It is important to stress that this decision is guidance only and does not have any immediate effect on travel rules. It is now up to individual countries to decide whether, how, and when to implement this guidance.

The Italian government announced new COVID-19 testing requirements. Effective September 1, all travelers, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 antigen or molecular test taken at most 72 hours before arrival into Italy. Children under six years of age will not be required to present a negative test result.

Please be aware that any travelers who are unable to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within the departure window will be denied boarding and must cancel or rebook their flight. There are no options to test or quarantine upon arrival into Italy.

All passengers traveling to Italy must fill out a Digital Passenger Locator Form before arrival and one of the following: Vaccination card, Green pass or Certificate of recovery.

Category: Europe