Australians are being warned that a familiar feature of international travel — the passport stamp — could soon become a thing of the past, as new international travel rules come into effect from today ( 12th of October ).
Under the changes, automated entry and exit gates will be introduced across many European countries over the next six months to enhance border security and streamline arrivals. Travellers will have their biometric data, such as fingerprints and photos, captured by digital kiosks, which could result in longer wait times while the system is being phased in.
The new system will apply to the Schengen area, which includes all EU member states as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. With the rollout of this technology, the traditional passport stamp is expected to disappear, marking the end of an era for frequent travellers.
Travel expert Quentin Long told Yahoo News that while the new system aims to make border crossings more efficient, many travellers are nostalgic about losing the tangible record of their journeys.
“A lot of people are lamenting the fact that you’ll no longer get your passport stamped,” Long said. “The idea of having a passport filled with memories will probably be a thing of the past — they’ll end up in museums one day.”
Authorities have confirmed that traveller data will be stored for three years, meaning visitors returning to the Schengen area within that period will only need to provide a fingerprint or photograph at the border.
Long added that while initial delays are expected, the system is designed to make travel into Europe more efficient and secure in the long term.
Countries outside the Schengen area include Albania, Ireland, Türkiye, Serbia, the United Kingdom, and several others. Travellers are reminded that they can only stay up to 90 days within any 180-day period, with overstayers facing potential fines, detention, or bans from re-entering the EU.
