SouthernWorldwide.com – As the summer travel season approaches, travelers planning trips to Europe should be aware of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). This new border management process requires visitors to provide biometric data upon arrival in participating countries, aiming to streamline border crossings. While the long-term goal is faster immigration, experts anticipate potential disruptions and delays as the system is implemented.
The EES, which became fully operational in April, is designed to replace traditional passport stamps. For non-EU nationals, including Americans, this means submitting biometric information such as fingerprints and a facial scan, along with passport details, at designated border checkpoints.
This data is crucial for verifying identities and tracking entry and exit from the Schengen Area. The system is adopted by 29 countries, primarily EU member states, excluding Cyprus and Ireland, but including non-EU Schengen members like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
“The new system does not change your entry requirements as far as visas or how long you can stay in the Schengen Area. None of those rules has changed,” explained Julian Kheel, CEO and founder of Points Path. “This is simply recording your entry and exit in and out of the area.”
Will I have to wait in line?
The necessity and length of wait times are variable. EU-LISA, the agency managing the EES software, stated that the time for registration can differ based on individual circumstances and the specific border crossing procedures.
Kheel also noted that airport congestion plays a significant role. “It really varies depending on the demand at any given time,” he said, observing that some travelers experience smooth passage while others face considerable delays.
He further elaborated that longer queues are typically observed at major international airports like Charles de Gaulle in Paris and Schiphol in Amsterdam, which handle a high volume of passengers simultaneously.
A survey conducted by the Airports Council International across 45 airports in 20 EU states revealed that queues for the EES procedure can extend up to 3.5 hours during peak travel periods. This is a new phenomenon, as similar waiting times were not reported last summer before the system’s implementation.
What are the issues contributing to delays?
Experts point to several factors contributing to these delays, including issues with the self-service kiosks used for EES registration at some airports. Kheel shared his personal experience, stating that the machines were not as quick or efficient as expected.
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“I had to make several attempts for the machine to properly record my fingerprints, and it certainly took longer than the one minute estimated by the authorities,” he recounted.
The Airports Council International spokesperson, Agata Lyznik, mentioned that technical difficulties in integrating the EES system with kiosk hardware have led to some kiosks being offline at certain airports. Even where operational, other problems arise.
“They are frequently out of order due to excess dust and grease from taking fingerprints,” Lyznik noted. “The kiosks need to be routinely cleaned between the passage of passengers, which right now is seldom the case.”
In some instances, travelers can register their biometric data directly with a border patrol agent, bypassing the need to use the self-service kiosks, as indicated on the European Union’s official website.
How can I prepare if I’m traveling to affected countries?
Given the unpredictability of queue lengths, travel experts advise travelers to plan ahead and allocate extra time for airport procedures. Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going.com, recommends erring on the side of caution and arriving at the airport earlier than usual.
This is particularly important for individuals with connecting flights within the Schengen Area. Kheel highlighted that if immigration clearance is required during a layover, travelers might need to register their EES information then.
“If you’re going to be required to go through immigration on a connection point before continuing onward, you may want to book your flight to leave extra time,” he suggested.
While a mobile application called “Travel to Europe” allows for pre-registration of EES information, its availability is currently limited to travelers entering Sweden and Portugal, making it inaccessible for most European travelers.
