A sweeping new digital border system requiring fingerprints and facial photos from non-EU travelers has officially launched across Europe's Schengen Area. The Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational on Friday, marking a significant shift in how border security is managed for millions of international visitors.
"The gradual introduction of EES began on 12 October, and the plan was to phase it in over six months," explained Katy Austin, Transport correspondent. "There have already been hours-long queues at pinch points."
The system replaces traditional passport stamping with biometric registration for travelers from countries outside the European Union, including the United Kingdom. When encountering EES for the first time, passengers must have their passport scanned while providing fingerprints and a photograph at special kiosks. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprint requirements.
Implementation varies significantly across different travel routes:
- Air travel: Passengers register upon arrival at European airports
- Channel crossings: Those using Eurostar trains, ferries from Dover, or the Eurotunnel shuttle complete registration before departing the UK
- Processing differences: At some locations, border officers manually handle checks instead of using the installed kiosks
Travel hubs have undergone substantial modifications to accommodate the new requirements. The Port of Dover reclaimed land from the sea to create an additional processing area a mile from the ferry terminal. Eurostar has installed 49 EES kiosks at London's St Pancras station, while Eurotunnel has deployed over a hundred machines on each side of the Channel.
Despite these preparations, early implementation has faced challenges. Geneva Airport experienced significant delays earlier this year, and travel experts report IT issues causing bottlenecks at some locations. The European Commission has authorized temporary suspensions of EES checks during peak periods until September to alleviate congestion.
Eurotunnel CEO Yann Leriche remains optimistic, stating there will be no "chaos" or queues at the Channel Tunnel and that his company is fully prepared. Similarly, Eurostar is initially limiting EES to select business travelers before broader implementation to prevent disruptions.
Once registered, travelers' biometric data remains valid for three years, streamlining subsequent trips within that period. The EU is also preparing to launch ETIAS, a visa waiver system that will complement EES, though its implementation timeline remains uncertain.