For countless travelers, a passport stamp is more than ink—it’s a cherished memento of global adventures, each mark a chapter in a personal travel story. However, this beloved tradition is nearing its end as digital systems take over. Starting October 12, 2025, 29 EU countries will introduce the Entry/Exit System, replacing stamps with biometric data like facial images and fingerprints. By April 2026, the border officer’s stamp will be fully replaced, marking the end of a nostalgic era for travelers.
Europe isn’t alone in this shift. The UK rolled out its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in January 2025, joining countries like Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Argentina, which abandoned stamps years ago. The United States is also phasing them out, expanding facial recognition and programs like Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and Clear Plus. These digital systems promise reduced fraud, faster border processing, and better tracking, but they replace the tangible charm of a stamped passport, a keepsake that served as a travel diary for many.
While the change is practical, the loss of stamps feels like the end of an era, akin to retiring paper boarding passes or handwritten checks. Travelers are reminded not to stamp their own passports (it’s illegal), though some airports offer commemorative stamps—worth inquiring about at customs.
As passport stamps fade, the essence of travel endures. Memories of crossing borders will still be made, even if they’re no longer inked on a page.
Countries Phasing Out Passport Stamps
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
