Travel News: Important changes for travel into Europe due to come into effect this November

The European Union is introducing important changes for travel to Europe, due to come into effect in a few weeks.

The post-Brexit “Entry/Exit System” (EES) was, in fact, first due to launch in 2022 but has faced several setbacks. It was first rescheduled for May 2023, then delayed until the end of last year and is now due to start on 10 November.

The EES is a new electronic system that will replace the physical stamping of passports when people go through passport control when arriving in and departing from their destination.

It will register all entries and exits to and from the participating European countries, which basically means it will register someone’s movements every time they cross a border in or out of the EU/Schengen area.

Once the new system is live when someone goes through passport control on their arrival to, and departure from their destination, as well as providing a passport you will also need to have a photo of your face taken and your fingerprints scanned.

The new rules apply to even those travelling for a short stay, from what the EU calls a ‘third country’. This is people who are not an EU citizen or a citizen of the Schengen area. Post Brexit that now includes the UK so it will apply to most people travelling from the UK.

Short stay refers to visits, holidays or business trips that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period.

The vast majority of travel between the UK and Europe will be classed as a short stay.

Irish passport holders are exempt from EES.

If you are a British passport holder but have EU residency you are also exempt from EES.

People of all ages will need to go through the EES checks. Children under 12 will not need to provide fingerprints but they will need to have a facial scan taken.

For those departing from the UK, in most cases the EES checks will take place in Europe – when you arrive at your destination airport or port, and when you leave at the end of your trip.

However, if you are departing via the Port of Dover or via international train from the UK (London St Pancras and Folkestone), then these checks will happen when going through the passport control in the UK, on your departure.

This is because there is a dual border – both British and French borders – at these locations.

However, you won’t need to do these checks again when you arrive on the other side.

The system will also record refusals of entry.

The new scheme has attracted much attention since it was first mooted back in April 2016, including criticism in some quarters.

Euromonitor International, a UK-based data analytics portal, says that, for visitors from outside of Europe, ETIAS will be of little consequence as this is usually pre-planned travel and the EUR7 fee will be marginal relative to the overall spend per trip. Logistically, the border crossing formalities will change only marginally and the facial scanning and fingerprinting are not expected to significantly slow passage through migration at airports.

A challenge for the EU will be to build traveller awareness regarding the scheme, especially among UK visitors who have been used to needing only a valid passport to visit Europe.

Even if, say, LeShuttle and ferry terminals in Kent prove to be well prepared ahead of EES implementation, potential consumer anxiety over border processing times could lead to passengers arriving early and “overwhelming” waiting areas. In February, the regional news site “Kent Online” warned of “14-hour delays”, citing a report by Kent County Council, home to the port of Dover and the Channel Tunnel terminal. Similar scare stories could negatively impact consumer confidence in cross channel travel, cautions Euromonitor International.

Further concerned have been voiced by the NGO, Statewatch which said the amount of time to test the system prior to its launch was “rapidly decreasing.”

Travel industry representatives, such as Northern Ireland’s Tourism Alliance have expressed fears that the rollout could deter up to 25% of holidaymakers.

A European commission source said possible disinformation about the scheme is another challenge, particularly if it is spread via social media.  The source said there were several unofficial sites providing “information” on the scheme, not all of which are up to date.

The source said, “The Entry/Exit System will enable automation of border controls which should ease the experience of travellers at the border crossing points. The EES will digitally register short-stay visa holders and visa-free travellers, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries for a short stay (up to 90 days in 180 days).

The scheme, says the EU, will help prevent irregular migration and “will also improve the EU’s security.”

• More information on EES can be found here – EES – European Union (europa.eu), and here – EES GOV.UK – (Gov.uk)