EU Travel Update (October 2025)

Bonjour everyone! I wanted to share a few updates regarding travel changes (especially with respect to the EU) so first things first. “Pour info” [FYI] the European Union (EU)’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) is making progress regarding their digitalization aims. As of 12 October this month nations across the EU who use the EES are gradually introducing it at their respective external borders. Which means the introduction of EES at border crossings and accompanying collection of travelers’ data is now beginning to be introduced with full EES implementation still anticipated by 10 April 2026. (In short this system will automatically register non-EU nations [i.e. American tourists] visiting the EU for a stay of short duration.)

Unless previously collected in the Schengen area, biometric data (such as photo and fingerprints) will be collected by EES. And perhaps most sadly for us, who adore receiving a passport stamp upon entry or exit, those will unfortunately be discontinued. Learn more here at the European Council’s “Explainer” on the subject. And if interested, you can also explore the EU’s official EES website for more details here. One final note on “Traveling through Europe” the State Department continues to state “You will need sufficient proof of funds and a return plane ticket.” (Pulled from State’s Spain webpage.) Although I haven’t personally experienced serious issues with this provision (especially since apart from my time living in Europe I always had a return flight, etc) this is just a reminder so you can travel as fully prepared as possible.

I’ll be sure to continue addressing additional EES updates and will also be sharing more in the future on this latest trip to St. Lucia plus my recent Wed Society partnerships. Alors stay tuned for that, bon voyage and bisous !

(See here for our complete Joy de Voyage, LLC “October 2025 Update” article.)