British nationals may face longer waits at border control when visiting a number of EU countries thanks to a new digital system that is being introduced this weekend.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be gradually rolled out across Europe over six months from Sunday 12 October.
It will see the manual stamping of passports scrapped in favour of non-EU citizens registering their biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photo, automating the process of registering travellers’ entries and exits.
But which countries will it apply to, how will it work and why is it being introduced?
Which countries will have the Entry/Exit System?
It will apply to 25 EU countries in the Schengen area and four other countries in the same region, but which are not part of the EU.
Here’s the full list:
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
Manual passport stamping will continue to be used in Ireland and Cyprus.
Who does it apply to?
The system applies if you are a non-EU national, including from the UK, who is travelling to an EU country for a short stay, which means up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Children under the age of 12 will be exempt from giving fingerprints, but they will still need to have their faces scanned for the system.
There are exemptions which are listed here.
How will it work?
The EES will register the person’s name, type of travel document, biometric data – fingerprints and captured facial images – and the date and place of entry and exit.
When you first visit one of the listed countries after the EES is adopted, you will need to register your details at an automated…
