Travelers entering Europe may face fingerprinting

According to press reports, the European Commission is considering new rules that would require all foreign nationals entering and leaving the European Union to be fingerprinted – including U.S. citizens. Any such change is not likely to be implemented for many months, since it would require approval of the European Parliament, plus the deployment of appropriate technology at all airports. If it does come to pass, don’t worry about getting ink on your fingers – they would be scanned electronically. The U.S. already has rules in place that require incoming foreign visitors to be fingerprinted and photographed. Japan is adopting a similar procedure for inbound foreigners. If Europe does adopt such a rule, it would affect more than 13 million Americans who travel there each year.