British travellers going to Europe will be asked to do additional entry checks under new rules to be phased in from this Sunday.
The Entry Exit System (EES) will require non-EU citizens to scan their passport, have their fingerprints and photographs taken, and face questions from a border guard on arrival in 29 European countries.
These include the most popular holiday destinations for British travellers such as France, Spain, Italy and Greece. Once completed at a European destination, registration is valid for three years.
Holidaymakers do not need to do anything before they leave if travelling by air; but will need to do the process in the UK if travelling from the Port of Dover, Folkestone or by Eurostar from London St Pancras.
There are concerns that the process, which is expected to take 1-2 minutes per passenger, will cause long queues and chaotic scenes at UK ports and some European airports during peak periods such as the school holidays.
In order to minimise disruption, EES is being phased in over a six-month period, to be fully operational by 10 April 2026, at which point wet passport stamps for travellers to European countries will be phased out.
The entry check will apply across the EU and Schengen area, which includes Norway, Switzerland and Iceland, and members states will decide how to phase it in.
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There is no list of which countries or airports will be applying the registration from this Sunday. Spain is reported to be testing its system, with just one flight arriving at Madrid doing checks from Sunday.
Countries such as Estonia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic will be operating the rules for all travellers from day one.
The government has spent £10.5million on new facilities at UK ports for EES, which has been in development for several years. Coach and lorry drivers getting the ferry from Dover will be the first to use the system this weekend.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.
“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”
Management at the Port of Dover say they are prepared for the start of the scheme and expect 10% of passengers to undertake EES at the start, then rolling out to other passengers from 1 November.
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Doug Bannister, chief executive of the Port of Dover, said: “Along with our counterparts who are also implementing EES, there are still some outstanding technology challenges that we are navigating with the French provider and border authorities as we collectively work towards go-live.
“We anticipate activation for cars in November, once the technology is installed and is working as expected. We ask all passengers to familiarise themselves with the new process via their ferry operator, allow extra time, and work with us as this major European system is introduced.
“The long-term benefits of EES will be improved border security and a more modern, efficient travel experience for millions of passengers each year.”
Why is this happening now?
The EES has been planned for years, was first due to be introduced in 2022, but has been delayed multiple times. It is intended to build up a digital record of all non-EU travellers to the Schengen area, to more effectively police its borders, detect the use of fake documents, and prevent people overstaying.
The European Commission, which developed the scheme, say it will make border checks more modern and efficient, and gradually replace passport stamps.
What will registration involve?
Registration will involve face and fingerprint data. Member states will make their own arrangements, but it is expected most airports will use automated machines to do this.
But countries can ask border guards to check this data and ask three or four additional questions including whether the traveller has a return ticket, where they are staying and whether they have sufficient funds.
Individuals who refuse to register can be denied entry.
Who is exempt?
British travellers to Ireland and Cyprus will not have to register. There will be exemptions to EES for diplomats, people who have EU residency under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, and ministers on official business.
Children under 12 will need to have their photograph taken, but will not need to be finger-printed.
Will there be chaos and queues?
The European Commission insist that, with EES, travellers will eventually spend less time at the border thanks to faster checks and self-service options.
But implementation is being done gradually, and at a time when high travel volumes are not expected, in order to cope with problems.
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Two facilities in Kent are expected to be put on standby for queues of freight and cars. There were long queues last summer ahead of expected implementation.
European countries can choose to use apps for travellers to do the checks, or to integrate them with e-gates.
