On 10 November 2024 signals the launch of the first of two major updates to the way that UK passport holders gain entries to Schengen Zone countries. The Schengen Zone comprises all EU nations plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland with the exception of except Cyprus and Ireland). These new initiatives are:
- EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which is planned to launch on 10th November in 2024
- European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), due in mid-2025.
In this guide we will look at what the purpose of this change is, who it will affect and what its likely impact will be for our partners and their clients.
The EU Entry/Exit system (EES) being introduced on 10 November 2024 is an electronic system that replaces the physical stamping of passports at passport control for travellers of 'third countries' when entering into and departing from participating European countries with collection of biometric data (fingerprints and facial photograph) instead. As is registers all journeys into and out of these countries it creates a log of traveller movements every time you cross a border in or out of the area.
The EES is being put in place for a number of reasons - from modernisation and automation of the EU's external borders with a view to a longer term improvement of the traveller experience throughout the region - to border security improvements via the collection of biometrics which aims to help detect identity fraud and visa contraventions. This information can be shared in real time allowing that border authorities across the EU have the right information at the right time.
Once the new system is live, then as well as providing your passport you will also need to have a photo of your face taken and/or your fingerprints scanned. This will occur when you go through passport control on your arrival to, and departure from, your destination.
Once you provide this personal and biometric data this information is recorded digitally and you passport will not be stamped.
Once registered, your record is stored securely for 3 years after which you will need to re-register for any susequent trips.
If you hold a biometric passport, you will be able to enter more quickly using the self-service system (if available the border crossing point you choose). If your digital file is free of travel restrictions, you may not need to go via a passport control officer.
Please be aware that all the other conditions for entry or exit remain valid and passport control officers may, at any time, take measures as necessary, such as collecting again the image of your face, etc.
It may be possible to speed up the process by registering your data in advance of travelling, by using:
- A dedicated self-service system at your border crossing point (although not every crossing point may have this service available); and/or
- Using a mobile app - if made available by the country of arrival or departure.
Because your registration under the EES is stored for 3 years you won't need to register or provide this information for each European country operating the system as your fingerprints and/or photo of your face will have already been recorded. When moving between participating countries the border control officers will need only to validate your fingerprints and photo - resulting in quicker processing times.
The system is expected to cause delays initially due to the registration process. However, as soon as the majority of Brits complete this step, entry and exit into the EU will go more smoothly and without major delays.
The EES applies to non-EU nationals travelling for a short-stay, each time they cross the borders of any of the following participating European nations:
For the purpose of the Entry/Exit system, a ‘non-EU national’ means a traveller not holding the nationality of any European Union country or the nationality of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
The Entry/Exit system applies to those travelling for a 'short stay' from a ‘third country’. This means people who are not an EU citizen or a citizen of the Schengen area, likely meaning that most people travelling from the UK will be affected.
The term 'short stay' refers to all travel - business or leisure - that have a duration of up to 90 days and are taken within a 180 day period. This again means that the majority of UK-Europe travel will be classed as a short stay. The period is calculated as a single period across all European countries using the EES.
There are some groups that may be exempt from the EES which are detailed below:
- Nationals of the European countries using the EES along with Cyprus and Ireland
- Non-EU nationals who hold a residence card or a residence permit and are immediately related to a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen
- Non-EU nationals travelling to Europe as part of an intra-corporate transfer or for the purposes of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au-pairing
- Holders of residence permits and long-stay visas
- Nationals of Andorra, Monaco and San Marino and holders of a passport issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See
- People exempt from border checks or who have been granted certain privileges with respect to border checks (such as heads of state, cross-border workers, etc.)
- People not required to cross external borders solely at border crossing points and during fixed opening hours
- People holding a valid local border traffic permit
- Crew members of passenger and goods trains on international connecting journeys
- People holding a valid Facilitated Rail Transit Document or valid Facilitated Transit Document, provided they travel by train and do not disembark anywhere within the territory of an EU Member State
