EU's New Border System: Fingerprints & Face Scans for Aussies

0:00Starting today, Australians heading to Europe will get fingerprints and face scan at borders under the European Union's new entry exit system. This digital setup replaces old school passport stamps across nearly 30 shung in countries like France, Italy and Spain. It tracks who comes and goes for short stays up to 90 days. The system rolled out gradually last year and already more than 25,000 travelers have been sent back for bad docs, fakes or week, reasons to visit. This comes amid Middle East conflicts, messing with flights worldwide, cancelling thousands and ramping up security worries. Experts like University of Sydney's Professor Mary Crock say it's a global trend toward watching travelers closely in unstable times. Aussies know biometrics from US trips, but Europe's sharing data across countries is next level. Australia's foreign affairs folks warn of longer lines at airports and borders. Airline groups like IETA are stressing delays, especially with summer travel looming after

1:02rollout headaches. Kids under 12 skip fingerprints, just a face scan and no pre-registration needed, but pack your valid passport and hotel deeds. Coming later this year, another layer called ETIS will make Aussies apply online for entry approval before flying, like our own ETA system. Start move for safety, but plan extra time to keep your Euro vacate smooth. Stay informed with Sydney News today, AI-powered updates.