Every port, airport and land border has to install new technology before the Entry/Exit System launch on 10 November. Travellers from outside the EU are getting ready for the launch of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) on 10 November, but are Schengen countries ready to welcome them? There’s been much trepidation about Europe’s new digital border system, which has been repeatedly delayed. But, finally, new scanners are appearing at airports across the EU and processing areas have been set up at international ports and train stations.
Millions of euros have been ploughed into preparing for the new checks, which will register non-EU passengers’ biometric data each time they enter and exit the Schengen Area. Still, tourists have been warned of potential delays and queues at checkpoints when the EES launches this autumn. The changes will arguably hit the hardest, with travellers forced to jump through new hoops when visiting the EU.
While airport checks will be carried out on arrival in EU countries, those for international train, car and services will take place before departure from the UK. The UK government is working hard to reduce queueing and disruption. This week, it announced £10.
5 million (€12.5m) in funding to support preparations at the Port of Dover, ’s Eurotunnel and Eurostar at St Pancras train station in London. This money is being used to set up the technology and processes needed for smooth , including establishing a dedicated processing site at the Port.