Americans are being forced to hand over biometric data to travel to Europe under new rules

If you're traveling to Europe anytime soon then you might be faced with disruption as soon as you touch down at the airport.

The worst part of a vacation has to be actually getting there and back, with packing, airport security and navigating your way around a major source of stress.

But it's all worth it, whether you're sampling gelato in Italy (while perhaps attending the 2026 Winter Olympics) or chasing some winter sun in Spain.

However, if you're already partial to airport anxiety then I'm afraid it's bad news if you're heading to one of 29 countries in Europe this year.

That's because European Union airports have introduced a new entry/exit system for those outside the EU.

Instead of stamping passports, border officials will electronically record when non-EU travelers enter and leave certain European countries.

Thousands of tourists will flock to Italy for the Winter Olympics this week (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

So yes, that does mean to end of passport stamping - which used to be a nice little keepsake from your travels. Sad times.

It also means Americans (and other tourists) are having to provide their biometric data including fingerprints and face scans.

It's been introduced to prevent people overstaying, using fake identities or misusing visa-free travel.

The EU says that with this new protocol, travelers will spend less time at the border 'thanks to faster checks, self-service options and the possibility to give their information in advance'.

Yet already some passengers have reported 'hours-long' waits in some airports due to the new system, including Geneva in Switzerland.

The BBC reports that a group representing airports have forecast queue times of up to six hours during the summer.

Biometrics have been rolled out in 29 EU countries (AzmanL/Getty Images)

However, some airports might suspend the new system at peak times until September.

Some countries began rolling it out from early October, but it's due to be implemented in full from Friday April 10.

That full rollout could mean more consistent checks across borders, but also some teething problems as staff and travelers adjust.

Until then, holidaymakers are being warned to allow extra time, stay patient and expect a different arrival experience than in previous years.

Which European countries are impacted?

Long airport queues have already been reported (Stock photo - Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

The following 29 countries will use the new ESS system, so it's best to be aware and prepared.

• 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