The new program means a traditional passport feature is being phased out

AMERICANS heading to a raft of European destinations will have to comply with new border measures that are coming into force. 

And, it means travelers will be forced to have their fingerprints taken. 

This is because the European Union's new Entry and Exit System has now come into effect – October 12. 

It affects travelers who are heading to 29 European countries for visits up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

The new system monitors when non-EU citizens enter and leave the Schengen area.

Travelers will scan their passports and have a photograph taken.

Most will have their fingerprints taken, but this rule does not apply to children under 12.

The data is stored on a digital database.

Travelers may have to answer basic questions about their journey.

Not all EU countries are members of the Schengen agreement, and some countries that are in the Schengen zone are outside the EU.

Traditional border controls do not exist within the Schengen Zone.

For instance, the new system is not being rolled out at airports in Ireland. 

Norway and Liechtenstein, however, are part of the Schengen zone.