Hello GLO students, please familiarize yourselves with the latest EU travel rules for your upcoming trips.

You may have recently heard about new European travel rules coming into effect, and because so many of our upcoming programs, including Winter Europe and Winter Europe MBA, go to Schengen-area destinations, you’ll want to pay close attention. Below, we break it down: what’s changing, why, and what you should anticipate (and do) to make sure your travel goes smoothly.

What’s Changing: The EU Entry/Exit System (EES)

Starting October 12, 2025, most European countries in the Schengen Area will begin phasing in a new digital border-control system called the Entry/Exit System (EES).

Here’s what that means in practice:

• Traditional passport stamps will be phased out.
• Instead, non-EU travelers (i.e. U.S. citizens, among others) will need to provide biometric data: facial image and fingerprint scans at certain border control points.
• The system is being rolled out gradually. Full implementation is expected by April 10, 2026.
• Once your biometrics are registered, subsequent entries may require only a facial scan or passport scan rather than a full fingerprint registration (unless your passport changes or you haven’t traveled for some time).
• The biometric and travel data will be stored for a period (e.g. 3 years in many jurisdictions) and subject to data protection rules (GDPR).

So, no more getting that little stamp in your passport as proof of entry/exit, but the system is designed to make tracking entries/exits more efficient and secure for authorities.

What This Means for You and Our GLO Programs

You might be asking, “Okay, but how does this affect me as a student traveling with GLO?” Here’s what to keep in mind:

✅ Possible Impacts & Changes

1. Longer processing times at border control (initially).
   During the rollout period, there may be delays at passport control, especially as travel volumes increase or at less-prepared points of entry.
   That said, some officials and operators are suggesting that the delay per traveler should be minimal. For example, the Eurotunnel CEO has estimated the biometric registration might only add a couple of minutes to crossing times.
2. You must comply with biometric registration.
   If you decline to provide required biometrics (fingerprint/face), you could be denied entry.
   So don’t think of it as optional, we all must follow the rules.
3. First time border crossing vs subsequent entries.
   The first time you enter a Schengen country after the system is active, you’ll go through the full biometric registration. On later entries, things may be faster if your biometrics are already on file.
4. It affects all of our Europe-based programs.
   For Winter Europe, Winter Europe MBA, or any GLO program that flies into or transits through Schengen-area countries, these new rules will apply. In planning your travel, border logistics, and timing, we’ll need to build in possible buffer time.
5. No change to your visa / program paperwork, per se.
   The biometric system is about border control, not your educational or visa status. It doesn’t change your GLO program compliance or your student visa (if that applies). But you’ll need to be aware of this as a requirement at the border.

What You Should Do Now (Preparation Tips)

To ensure your travel goes smoothly, here are some proactive steps you can take:

• Allow extra time at arrival / border control.
  Build in buffer time in your itinerary.
• Have documents ready.
  Bring your biometric passport (an e-passport), GLO program documents, proof of accommodation, return or onward ticket, etc. Border officers may ask additional questions about purpose of stay.
• Stay informed of which countries are ready.
  Because the rollout is staggered, some countries or specific airports might enforce the system earlier than others. We will also monitor and update you.
• Photocopy / digitally back up all travel documents.
  Passport ID page, visa, program letters, etc. Always good in case of any border or administrative questions.
• Check for program updates.
  We will send you any revised schedules or advice based on which border points have implemented EES. If a particular airport or arrival point becomes problematic, we may adjust arrival plans or give alternatives.
• Be ready for the first biometric scan.
  At your first entry after October 12 (if traveling after then), be prepared to pause, go to a kiosk or official desk, submit your biometric data, have your passport / travel documents cross-checked, etc.

Why This Change Is Happening

You might wonder: why all of this? A few reasons:

• The EU wants to modernize its border management and make it more secure, reliable, and digital.
• The system helps enforce the “90 days in 180 days” rule for short-term visits by recording exact dates of entry and exit.
• It will help authorities better monitor overstays, illegal entries, and border flows.
• The removal of passport stamps is more than symbolic, it reflects a shift toward digital, biometric methods of identity that many countries are gradually adopting.

There are privacy considerations and debates around data protection, but the system has been designed under EU rules (including GDPR) to regulate how biometric data is handled.

Bottom Line

• These changes do affect your travel into Europe for GLO programs.
• You will be required to submit biometric data (fingerprints + photo) on first entry, starting October 12, 2025.
• Delays are possible, especially during the initial rollout phase.
• But with preparation, we expect impacts to be manageable.

We are actively watching how this lands, and we’ll send you tailored advice closer to your program start dates.

Reach out to GLO if you have any questions about your upcoming trip hello@glo-explore.com