France, Italy and more European destinations are navigating major EES changes as new fingerprint rules transform Europe travel for millions of visitors. France and Italy now stand at the centre of attention as travellers prepare for new EES procedures, while more countries across Europe continue adapting their border systems. These fingerprint rules are changing how Europe travel begins for Americans and other non-EU visitors. Meanwhile, the EES changes could influence airport arrival times, connecting journeys and holiday planning. Travel And Tour World urges travellers to understand these new fingerprint rules before visiting France, Italy and more. Read the entire story for essential Europe travel guidance.

Europe EES Travel Guide: Nine Countries, Visitor Trends, Border Data and Detailed Trip Planning for 2026

The European Entry/Exit System (EES) has become a major consideration for international travellers entering the Schengen Area. The system is now fully operational across participating countries, although European authorities have allowed limited operational flexibility during periods of exceptional congestion.

For travellers, the change is about more than fingerprints. EES digitally records eligible non-EU visitors, including passport information, facial images and fingerprints, while also recording entries and exits.

The nine countries discussed in recent reporting — France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, Malta and Switzerland — are particularly relevant because they combine major airports, cruise ports, rail gateways and some of Europe’s most visited destinations.

A crucial point for travellers is that these countries should not be treated as having permanently postponed EES biometric procedures. The European Commission has described temporary flexibility for exceptional congestion, while the system itself is operational.

The following extension therefore focuses on the travel impact, tourism scale, visitor trends, attractions, food, accommodation strategy and practical itineraries for each country.

EES Countries at a Glance: Key Tourism and Traveller Data

Important statistical note: national tourism agencies do not use one identical definition of “visitor”. Some figures count international tourist arrivals, while others count guests or accommodation nights. They should therefore not be added together or interpreted as directly identical measurements.

Five-Year Tourism Recovery Snapshot

The pandemic makes 2021–2025 particularly useful for understanding how European travel recovered.

The Netherlands provides one of the clearest five-year comparable series. International guests rose from 6.25 million in 2021 to 22.30 million in 2025.

Malta also shows a dramatic recovery. Inbound tourism climbed from around 968,000 in 2021 to 2.287 million in 2022, 2.976 million in 2023, 3.564 million in 2024 and 4.022 million in 2025.

France: EES Meets Europe’s Largest International Tourism Market

France remains one of the most important destinations for understanding the travel impact of EES. Atout France reported 102 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, compared with 100 million in 2024. International visitors generated about 743 million tourist nights across market and non-market accommodation in 2025.

For travellers, Paris is the obvious starting point, but France offers much more. A first-time visitor can spend two days around the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Seine and Montmartre. The itinerary can then continue towards Versailles or Normandy. Longer holidays can include the Loire Valley, Bordeaux, French Alps, Provence or the Côte d’Azur. Travellers should consider arriving through a major gateway and allowing extra time for border formalities before connecting to domestic transport.

French cuisine provides another reason to extend the trip. Visitors can explore croissants, regional cheeses, crêpes, bouillabaisse, ratatouille and classic pastries. Paris offers everything from historic brasseries to modern restaurants. In Provence, travellers should look for Mediterranean dishes and local produce.

For accommodation, central Paris is convenient for short stays but expensive during major events. Staying around the Latin Quarter, Le Marais, Saint-Germain or near major railway connections can reduce unnecessary commuting. In the south, Nice provides an efficient base for Monaco, Antibes and Cannes.

France has also introduced digital equipment at selected border locations to help travellers with EES-related registration procedures. The French Interior Ministry says these facilities can support pre-registration and make border processing more efficient.

Suggested seven-day plan: Paris for three nights, Versailles as a day trip, then Lyon for one night, Avignon for one night and Nice for two nights. Travellers with more time can add Provence or the Alps.

Italy: A High-Volume Destination Where Border Planning Matters

Italy combines some of Europe’s strongest tourism magnets with enormous visitor volumes. Italy’s statistical office, Istat, reported 458.4 million nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in 2024, an increase of 2.5% over the previous record set in 2023.

Rome remains the natural first stop for a cultural itinerary. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Pantheon, Vatican Museums and historic centre can easily occupy three days. Travellers can then take high-speed rail to Florence, where the Uffizi, Duomo and historic centre offer a concentrated cultural experience.

Venice is another major international draw. Visitors should explore St Mark’s Square, the Grand Canal, Rialto and quieter neighbourhoods such as Cannaregio. Longer itineraries can include Bologna, Milan, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily or Sardinia.

Italian food varies considerably by region. Rome is ideal for cacio e pepe, carbonara and amatriciana. Bologna is known for pasta traditions. Naples is strongly associated with pizza. Sicily adds arancini, cannoli and seafood to the travel experience.

Accommodation should match the route. Historic-centre hotels are convenient but can be expensive. Travellers staying outside central Rome, Florence or Venice should prioritise accommodation near railway or public-transport connections.

For an EES-era journey, visitors should avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately after arriving from outside the Schengen Area. A longer buffer is sensible when an itinerary involves a separate flight or cruise departure.

Suggested 10-day plan: Rome for three nights, Florence for two, Bologna for one, Venice for two and Milan for two. A slower alternative can replace Milan with the Amalfi Coast.

Belgium: Compact Distances Make It Ideal for a Multi-City European Holiday

Belgium offers one of Europe’s most efficient short-break experiences. Statbel recorded 46,136,112 tourist accommodation nights in 2025, about 2.9% more than 2024. Hotels represented around 46% of overnight stays, while camping recorded the strongest increase.

The country’s compact geography makes it particularly attractive for travellers combining several cities.

Brussels is the natural entry point. Visitors can explore the Grand-Place, Royal Quarter, museums and historic streets. Bruges provides medieval architecture, canals and a slower atmosphere. Ghent combines historic buildings with a substantial student population and lively dining scene.

Antwerp is particularly appealing to travellers interested in fashion, design, shopping and diamonds. Dinant and the Ardennes provide a contrasting nature-focused experience.

Belgian food deserves dedicated attention. Travellers can sample Belgian waffles, fries, chocolate, mussels and regional beers. Brussels is particularly useful for food-focused itineraries because international and local dining options are concentrated within a manageable area.

Accommodation around Brussels Central or near major rail stations can simplify onward travel. Bruges is better suited to an overnight stay if travellers want to experience the city after day-trippers leave.

Statbel’s 2025 figures show the international character of Belgian tourism. Non-residents accounted for more than 22.4 million accommodation nights, while visitors from the Netherlands, Germany, France, the UK and United States were among major source markets. US visitors generated about 1.12 million overnight stays.

Suggested five-day plan: Brussels for two nights, Bruges for one, Ghent for one and Antwerp for one. Travellers can also make Bruges and Ghent day trips from Brussels if accommodation changes are undesirable.

Germany: Huge Tourism Volumes Stretch From Major Cities to Alpine Regions

Germany recorded a new accommodation milestone in 2025. Destatis reported 497.5 million guest overnight stays, 0.3% above the previous record in 2024. Domestic overnight stays reached 413.7 million, while foreign guest nights declined slightly.

Germany is ideal for travellers who want variety. Berlin provides history, museums, nightlife and contemporary culture. Munich offers Bavarian traditions and easy access to the Alps. Hamburg adds maritime attractions, while Cologne combines its cathedral with Rhine experiences.

Nature travellers can head towards the Black Forest, Bavarian Alps, Saxon Switzerland or Rhine Valley. Germany also works well for Christmas-market holidays, though winter travel requires different planning from summer sightseeing.

German food varies by region. Visitors can try pretzels, sausages, schnitzel, regional breads, potato dishes and cakes. Berlin adds an international dining scene, while Bavaria offers traditional beer-hall cuisine.

Berlin’s central districts are useful for first-time visitors, while Munich accommodation near the Hauptbahnhof can simplify rail travel. In smaller towns, staying close to railway stations is often more practical than choosing accommodation based solely on price.

Germany’s enormous accommodation volume makes it particularly important to plan around major events. Hotel availability can tighten sharply during major festivals, trade fairs and sporting events.

Suggested eight-day plan: Berlin for three nights, Dresden for one, Munich for two and the Bavarian Alps for two. A Rhine itinerary can replace Dresden for travellers prioritising castles and scenery.

Portugal: Lisbon, Porto and the Atlantic Coast Offer a Flexible EES-Era Itinerary

Portugal has become one of Europe’s strongest international leisure destinations. Statistics Portugal estimated 29.0 million non-resident tourist arrivals in 2024, up 9.3% year-on-year. Tourism of Portugal reported 32.5 million guests in 2025, including 19.7 million foreign guests.

Lisbon works exceptionally well for a three-day city break. Travellers can explore Alfama, Belém, Baixa and the city’s viewpoints. Sintra is a straightforward extension for visitors wanting palaces and landscapes.

Porto offers a different atmosphere. Its riverside district, historic centre and surrounding wine country provide a slower alternative. The Algarve then adds beaches, cliffs and resort towns.

Madeira is ideal for travellers who want hiking, scenery and a longer island escape. The Azores are particularly suited to nature-focused visitors interested in volcanic landscapes, wildlife and outdoor activities.

Portuguese cuisine should be central to the itinerary. Travellers can look for bacalhau, grilled seafood, pastel de nata, caldo verde and regional dishes. Lisbon and Porto offer a particularly broad range of restaurants.

For accommodation, central Lisbon works best for short stays. Porto’s historic centre is attractive but hilly, so travellers with luggage may prefer accommodation close to transport. Algarve resorts work better for longer beach holidays.

Suggested nine-day plan: Lisbon for three nights, Sintra as a day trip, Porto for two, Douro Valley for one and Algarve for three. Travellers with 12–14 days can add Madeira.

Netherlands: International Visitors Continue Returning in Large Numbers

Netherlands provides one of the clearest official five-year recovery datasets. Statistics Netherlands reported 22.3 million international guests in 2025, up 5% from 2024. Total guests reached 52.2 million.

The international guest series shows a sharp recovery:

Amsterdam remains the main international gateway, but travellers should not spend an entire Dutch holiday there. Rotterdam offers modern architecture and waterfront attractions. Utrecht provides canals and historic streets with fewer international crowds. The Hague combines museums, government landmarks and access to the North Sea coast.

Dutch cuisine is less internationally celebrated than French or Italian food, but visitors can try stroopwafels, herring, poffertjes, cheese and Indonesian-influenced cuisine.

Amsterdam accommodation can be expensive. Travellers can consider staying around Amsterdam Zuid, Sloterdijk or nearby cities with direct rail links.

Cycling is one of the country’s defining travel experiences, but visitors should understand local cycling rules before renting bicycles.

Suggested six-day plan: Amsterdam for three nights, Utrecht for one, Rotterdam for one and The Hague for one. Travellers can make several destinations day trips while retaining one hotel base.

Greece: Island Travel Meets Major International Visitor Demand

Greece remains one of Europe’s strongest summer destinations. Bank of Greece data reported 37.98 million inbound travellers in 2025, compared with 35.95 million in 2024, representing an increase of 5.6%. The provisional figure excludes cruise passengers.

Athens should normally be the starting point for first-time visitors. The Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, Plaka and Ancient Agora can fill two or three days.

Island selection should depend on travel style. Santorini suits travellers seeking dramatic landscapes and iconic views. Crete is better for longer holidays because it combines beaches, archaeology, villages and food. Naxos provides beaches and traditional settlements, while Corfu offers a distinctive Ionian atmosphere.

Greek cuisine provides another reason to travel beyond the major resort zones. Visitors should try moussaka, souvlaki, Greek salad, grilled seafood, local cheeses and regional pastries.

Island accommodation varies dramatically by season. Travellers visiting during peak summer should book well ahead, particularly on Santorini and Mykonos. Shoulder-season visitors can find more flexibility and often enjoy cooler weather.

Because Greece combines airports, ferries and islands, travellers should avoid excessively tight connections. An overnight stop in Athens before a separate island flight can reduce the risk of missing a ferry or hotel check-in.

Suggested 10-day plan: Athens for three nights, Naxos for three, Santorini for two and Crete for two. A slower itinerary should reduce the number of islands rather than adding more transport connections.

Malta: One of the Fastest Five-Year Tourism Recoveries

Malta has recorded particularly strong tourism recovery. Official Maltese statistics show inbound tourist numbers rising from about 968,000 in 2021 to 2.287 million in 2022, 2.976 million in 2023, 3.564 million in 2024 and 4.022 million in 2025.

The 2025 figure represented a 12.9% increase over 2024. Tourist nights reached 25.4 million, while total tourism expenditure reached approximately €3.904 billion. Average expenditure per tourist was €971.

Valletta is the natural base for a history-focused trip. The city provides fortifications, museums, churches and harbour views. Mdina offers a quieter historic experience, while the Three Cities add another layer of Maltese heritage.

Gozo is particularly useful for travellers wanting a slower island experience. Comino is suited to short excursions and swimming-focused visits.

Malta’s cuisine reflects Mediterranean and regional influences. Visitors can try pastizzi, rabbit dishes, ftira, seafood and local cheeses.

Because Malta is compact, travellers can stay in one location for most of the holiday. Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s provide different atmospheres and transport options.

Suggested seven-day plan: Valletta for three nights, Gozo for two, and Sliema or another coastal base for two. Day trips can cover Mdina, the Three Cities and Comino.

Switzerland: Alpine Tourism and Cross-Border Travel Make Timing Important

Switzerland is different from the EU member states in this list but participates in the Schengen border framework and is relevant to EES planning.

OECD tourism data shows Switzerland’s inbound overnight visitors at commercial accommodation establishments reached about 9.16 million in 2022, more than double the 2021 level. In 2023, inbound demand increased another 19.2% from 2022 and reached a historic high. Germany represented 22% of source-market demand, the United States 13% and Great Britain 9%.

Switzerland is especially attractive for rail-based holidays. Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt and the Jungfrau region can form a classic route. Travellers who want scenery rather than city sightseeing should allocate more time to the Bernese Oberland.

Swiss food is closely associated with cheese and chocolate. Fondue, raclette, rösti and regional pastries are worth including.

Accommodation in Switzerland is generally more expensive than in many neighbouring European countries. Travellers can reduce costs by staying outside the most famous resort centres while remaining near railway connections.

A rail-focused itinerary is particularly practical. Visitors can travel from Zurich to Lucerne, then towards Interlaken and onward to Zermatt or another Alpine destination.

Suggested eight-day plan: Zurich for one night, Lucerne for two, Interlaken for three and Zermatt for two. Travellers focused on mountains can skip Zurich and add another Alpine night.

Which Country Is Best for Different Types of Travellers?

How EES Could Change the First Day of a European Holiday

The most important practical change is that non-EU travellers should think differently about their first external Schengen border crossing.

A traveller flying directly from the United States to Paris, Rome, Frankfurt, Amsterdam or Lisbon may need to complete EES registration procedures at that entry point.

A traveller entering Europe through one Schengen country and then taking a train into another normally does not encounter a new external Schengen border process simply because the train crosses a national frontier.

This makes the choice of first European gateway strategically important.

For example, a traveller planning France, Belgium and the Netherlands could enter through Paris and continue by rail. Another traveller planning Italy and Switzerland may need to understand the precise external-border arrangements of the chosen airport and route.

The safest approach is to allow additional time at the first Schengen arrival, particularly during peak travel periods.

EES Travel Planning Checklist for Global Tourists

Five-Year Tourism Comparison: The Strongest Recovery Stories

Malta stands out for its scale of recovery. Its inbound arrivals climbed more than fourfold from approximately 968,000 in 2021 to more than 4 million in 2025.

The Netherlands also recorded a remarkable international recovery. International guests increased from 6.25 million in 2021 to 22.3 million in 2025.

France reached 102 million international visitors in 2025, according to Atout France.

Portugal recorded 32.5 million guests in 2025, including 19.7 million foreign guests.

Germany reached 497.5 million guest overnight stays in 2025, setting a new record.

Belgium recorded 46.14 million accommodation nights in 2025, also surpassing its previous record.

Greece recorded nearly 38 million inbound travellers in 2025, according to Bank of Greece data.

Italy recorded 458.4 million tourist accommodation nights in 2024, another record year.

Switzerland’s inbound accommodation tourism reached a historic high in 2023 after a sharp post-pandemic recovery.

The Bigger Travel Picture for 2026

The EES transition comes at a time when European tourism is already operating at extremely high volumes.

That combination is important.

France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands and Greece are dealing with enormous visitor flows. Malta has crossed four million inbound tourists despite its small geographic size. Belgium has moved above 46 million accommodation nights. Switzerland continues to attract strong demand from the United States and other long-haul markets.

For travellers, this means the EES issue should be viewed as part of a wider change in European travel.

Digital border processing is becoming normal. Major gateways are introducing biometric technology. Tourism volumes are recovering or reaching new records. Airports, ports and railway stations must process large numbers of visitors while maintaining border security.

The best response for travellers is preparation rather than concern.

Arrive early. Keep passports accessible. Avoid tight connections after the first Schengen arrival. Understand the 90/180-day rule. Check official government information before departure.

Most importantly, travellers should not assume that reports about temporary biometric flexibility mean EES requirements have disappeared.

The European Commission confirms that the Entry/Exit System is fully operational, while limited flexibility has been used to manage exceptional operational circumstances.

For global tourists planning France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, Malta or Switzerland, the practical message is straightforward: build border time into the itinerary and let the journey begin after the border process is complete.

Conclusion

France, Italy and more European destinations are entering a new phase of border travel as EES changes and fingerprint rules reshape arrivals. For Americans and other non-EU visitors, understanding these changes can make Europe travel smoother and less stressful. Although procedures may vary at individual border points, travellers should allow extra time, keep passports ready and follow official instructions. From France and Italy to Greece, Portugal, Germany and Switzerland, preparation remains essential. Travel And Tour World encourages global travellers to check the latest official requirements before departure. Knowing what to expect can help visitors enjoy their European journeys with greater confidence.