Goodbye, Passport Stamp: 29 Countries Are Phasing Out This Travel Souvenir Starting Next Month

The ink marks in your passport are becoming a relic of the past. For many travellers, a stamp is a treasured, official souvenir of a new country—a personal travel diary etched onto paper. Unfortunately, that little travel trophy is being replaced by digital systems designed for better speed, security, and efficiency.

Europe Leads the Digital Charge

Europe is spearheading this change. Beginning October 12, 29 European countries (the full Schengen Area, including EU members and associated nations) will start the rollout of a new Entry/Exit System (EES). This system is set to replace stamps with biometric records.

By April 2026, the border officer’s ritualistic stamp will be fully supplanted by digital records, including facial images and fingerprints. While officials promote this as modernisation, for many seasoned travellers, it marks the end of a cherished era.

A Global Shift to Paperless Travel

Europe is not alone in this digital migration. The UK launched its electronic travel authorisation (ETA) in January, following the lead of countries like Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Argentina, all of whom scrapped physical stamps years ago. Even the United States is quietly phasing out stamps while expanding its use of facial recognition and trusted traveller programs like Global Entry. The world of travel is officially going paperless.

On a practical level, this transition makes perfect sense. Digital systems are highly effective at cutting down on fraud, speeding up border checks, and making movement tracking more accurate. However, for the adventure-seeking traveller, the stamps were never just ink; they were time capsules and undeniable proof of a life spent exploring.

While the satisfying thud of the passport stamp is fading, the journeys themselves remain. You’ll still make memories at every border, you just won’t see them smudged across a page anymore.

Full List of Countries Phasing Out Passport Stamps

• Switzerland
• 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

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