This month, the European Union will roll out an automated biometric program for foreign travellers entering nearly 30 countries.

Scheduled to start Oct. 12, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace traditional passport procedures, including the coveted stamp, with facial imaging and fingerprinting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

The EES will be phased in over six months, with the 29 countries in the Schengen area expected to be fully compliant by April 10. The destinations include top tourism draws such as Italy, Greece, France and Spain.

According to a July announcement by the European Council, some countries may switch over to biometrics early in the process. Others may slowly integrate the technology, reverting to the older procedures during

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