The EU’s post-Brexit Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to launch in November, but there may be further delays as three countries have raised concerns about the lack of onsite trials of the technology. The EES will be an automated registration system for UK and other non-EU travellers who don’t require a visa to enter the EU. Travellers will need to scan their passports at self-service kiosks each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register their name, biometric data, date and place of entry and exit, and will apply when entering most EU member states and four non-EU countries in the Schengen Area. The EES aims to bolster border security, track overstay travel, and make it harder for criminals, terrorists, or spies to use fake passports.
The EES implementation could potentially cause travel delays at border checkpoints, as various countries express concerns over the delays in testing the system prior to its launch. French authorities will operate EES border checks at the UK’s Port of Dover, Eurostar, and Eurotunnel. They are working to minimize the system’s impact on border flows and traffic but are concerned about potential waiting times. Government agencies and representatives for the tourism industry have warned of long queues for ferry traffic sailing from Dover to Calais. The UK has planned a “six-month soft launch” of the scheme to simplify the process and ensure smooth passage of vehicles. Other countries are also working on EES implementation plans, and the European Commission suggests a gradual and flexible approach to mitigate long waiting times at borders.
The EES is being introduced to enhance border security, identify travellers who overstay their permitted time in the Schengen Area, and make it more difficult for criminals, terrorists, or spies to use fake passports. Facial scans and fingerprint data will be taken every three years, and the system will monitor travel patterns to counter irregular migration. However, concerns have been raised about potential travel delays and long queues at border checkpoints due to the EES implementation. French authorities are working with the UK government to minimize the impact of the system on border flows and traffic, particularly for ferry traffic between Dover and Calais.
Following the launch of the EES, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be introduced. ETIAS will require non-EU citizens who do not need an EU visa to obtain travel authorization to enter the Schengen Area. The visa waiver scheme was originally scheduled for November 2023 but is now expected to be operational in 2025, approximately six months after the implementation of the EES. Travellers will be able to apply for ETIAS online before their trip at a cost of €7, and the authorization will be electronically linked to their passport and valid for three years. The introduction of ETIAS aims to enhance security and manage the flow of non-EU visitors entering the Schengen Area, complementing the efforts of the EES in monitoring border crossings by third-country nationals.
As the EES is set to become operational in autumn, non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area will have to go through new scanners at EU borders. The EES, intended to launch in 2022, has faced setbacks due to IT issues and delays in installing automated barriers at all international borders in the Schengen Area. Germany, France, and the Netherlands have expressed concerns about the lack of onsite trials of the technology, potentially leading to further delays. The system will register travellers’ biometric data, entry and exit dates, and will apply to most EU member states and four non-EU countries in the Schengen Area. Despite concerns over potential travel delays, efforts are being made to ensure a smooth implementation of the EES to strengthen border security and monitor the movement of non-EU travellers.
With the launch of the EES approaching, the EU is striving to enhance border security, track overstays, and prevent the misuse of fake passports by criminals, terrorists, or spies. While the implementation of the system may lead to travel delays at border checkpoints, efforts are underway to minimize the impact on border flows and traffic. The EES will require non-EU travellers to scan their passports at self-service kiosks when entering the Schengen Area, with facial scans and fingerprint data taken periodically. Following the implementation of the EES, the introduction of ETIAS will further enhance security by requiring travel authorization for non-EU citizens entering the Schengen Area. Despite challenges and potential delays, the EU is committed to strengthening border controls and ensuring the safety and security of travellers within the Schengen Area.
