Americans flying to Europe will need to be fingerprinted under new EU regulations being brought in next month.
From October 12, US citizens will have to go through the EU's Entry and Exit System to enter 29 countries, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Under the new system, passport control agents will take fingerprints, a facial image and passport details.
It will be introduced gradually over six months, according to advice from the US Department of State website, which also includes the full list of countries impacted.
The new digital border program is likely to prompt longer wait times at security on entry to the EU countries as travelers have to register upon their first entry to the impacted zone, known as the Schengen Area.
American passengers will pass through e-gates and a computerized system which will automatically check passports on entry to the 29 countries within this zone.
However, once a traveler is within the borders of the Schengen Area, they are free to travel between the 29 countries with minimal security checks.
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