EU fingerprint and photo travel rules come into force
EU fingerprint and photo travel rules come into force
The EU’s digital border system, mandating fingerprints and photos along with passport scans, will be fully operational from Friday. This marks the official activation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) across all 29 Schengen Area countries. The rollout commenced in October to bolster security and streamline travel processes, though not all border points are yet fully integrated due to logistical challenges.
Operational Challenges and Delays
Queues have already formed at key European airports, with concerns raised about extended delays during peak travel seasons. The EES, designed to monitor the entry and exit of non-EU citizens—including UK nationals—has faced technical difficulties in some locations. Travel experts have noted that these issues have occasionally disrupted the system’s efficiency, leading to longer wait times for passengers.
Travel experts have told the BBC that the system at some points has been blighted by IT issues, and long queues can form where travellers are unable to use the system with ease.
While the EES aims to modernize travel, its full implementation has been staggered. Some airports, like Milan and Lisbon, will not activate the system on Friday. The European Commission has also stated that temporary halts to EES checks may be permitted during busy periods until September.
Biometric Registration Process
Under the new rules, travelers will register biometric data, including fingerprints and a photo, when entering the Schengen Area. This process will take place at their destination airport if flying, or at departure points for land crossings. Children under 12 are exempt from providing fingerprints, with staff available to assist during the transition.
The system will verify traveler details every trip for three years. At Dover, ferry passengers in coaches began using the EES in October, but car travelers have not yet been processed. Eurotunnel and Eurostar have also introduced the system incrementally, with certain areas not fully operational by 10 April.
Big changes have had to be made at Dover. The port has reclaimed some land from the sea to create an additional processing area.
Dover’s new setup includes a mile-long processing zone for EES checks. Coaches will be sealed after passengers complete their biometric registration before proceeding to the ferry terminal. Eurostar has installed 49 kiosks at its London St Pancras terminal, but manual checks are still conducted by border officers at this stage.
