The brand new EU border checks for travellers outside the bloc are being rolled out soon.
Should you travel to EU countries often, the likelihood is you’ve heard rumblings about plans for the entry and exit system (EES) coming to airports, ferry ports and other border crossings.
Designed to trace border crossings digitally using fingerprints and facial recognition, the stricter system has been within the making for years – and delayed several times.
Now it has been confirmed that the EES will roll out in phases somewhat than in any respect border crossing sites without delay.
The soft launch start date has been confirmed as Sunday, October 12.
What’s the entry and exit EES system?
The entry and exit system is a digital system that can replace passport stamping on the border control when arriving or leaving the destination.
Those with non-EU country passports, just like the UK, are required to make use of the system once it launches.
How does it work?
Most travellers from outside the EU, generally known as third-country nationals, need to register their passport details and biometric data when crossing into an EU country for the primary time.
Biometric data includes fingerprints and facial pictures. Borders are prone to be kitted with self-service kiosks where passengers can input this information.
This data and the entry and exit details shall be stored for subsequent visits.
Future visits will only require a verification of the biometric data, which may speed up the method.
On subsequent visits, border officials can even ask extra questions and proof like accommodation, enough money for the trip, insurance and a return ticket.
Children aren’t exempt from the checks, although children under 12 don’t need to offer fingerprints, but they can even must have their face scanned.
Checks on the Port of Dover, London St Pancras and Folkestone
Normally, the brand new checks shall be carried out on the destination airport or port upon arrival and when departing.
Port of Dover, St Pancras International and Folkestone are exceptions, and passengers heading to the EU will undergo the checks there as these are dual British and French border locations.
It means you don’t then must undergo the checks again when stepping off the train or ferry on the European mainland.
The EES border system is separate from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is able to introduced towards the top of 2026.
ETIAS, which is just not live yet, means individuals who aren’t residents of an EU or Schengen country might want to apply for it when travelling to the European Union.
When does the EES start?
The brand new border checks shall be rolled out steadily from October 12.
The launch date is just days before the UK school half-term, when tens of hundreds of families are set to travel abroad.
European countries will introduce the system at their external border progressively, leading as much as the complete launch by April 10, 2026.
What countries will use the brand new EU entry and exit system?
The brand new system will eventually be in use within the 25 EU countries, plus Schengen members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Meanwhile, manual passport stamping will still be utilized in Ireland and Cyprus
It has not been announced yet which countries and which of their border entry points shall be the primary to have the brand new system.
Who’s exempt from the EU entry and exit system?
- EU passport holders, including Irish and Cyprus
- British passport holder with EU residency permit or long-stay visa
- Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and passport holders of the Vatican City State/the Holy See
Why was the EES launch delayed?
Essentially the most recent delay was in October last 12 months, when EU leaders hit pause on the huge border upgrade after concerns that the launch of the untested system could wreak havoc on travel and logistics.
What countries already use biometric border controls?
Many countries internationally have already implemented digital border control checks involving biometric data just like the EES.
These include China, Saudi Arabia, United States, Australia, Canada and Latest Zealand.
Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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