Will the new EES affect my holiday? We asked the experts
New border checks should make travelling to Europe simple, but headlines suggest a summer of teething problems. Here’s what you need to know.
New border checks should make travelling to Europe simple, but headlines suggest a summer of teething problems. Here’s what you need to know.
If you’ve read recent headlines warning of long queues at airports and ports, you might be wondering how your holiday is going to be affected after the introduction of the new EES.
The new EU Entry/Exit System began last October and became fully operational in April. In the long term, it should reduce queues and make European travel easier without the need for passport stamping. But queues at airports, Eurostar and ferry terminals are being reported, so it’s no surprise people are worrying about travelling this summer.
ABTA’s media relations manager Sean Tipton tells Saga: “It’s been a mixed bag. At some airports, it’s been a smooth process, but you might see queues, particularly when you've got a lot of the aircraft coming in at the same time.”
The Entry/Exit System is a border control process that records the movements of non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area – the EU’s passport-free travel area that encompasses 29 countries. As well as providing your name, nationality and passport details, you’ll register biometric details including fingerprints and facial scans.
The system replaces manual passport stamping, and will make it easier for the EU to keep track of when travellers arrived and how long they’ve stayed – and to detect people who stay longer than the prescribed limit of 90 days out of every 180.
The new border checks require you to register your passport details, fingerpints and a facial scan and you only need to do that once.
“Like with any new system, there are going to be teething problems, but they’ve been in the minority. As time goes on, the queues will begin to diminish because more and more people are registered,” says Tipton. “Once you've actually registered, you don’t need to re-register after that, so it’s going to get better.”
And if you do get caught in a long queue this summer, airport staff can take action to speed up your journey. “If there's an exceptionally long queue, airports have the power to waive the biometric requirements – and this will apply until September,” says Tipton.
You might be alarmed by a long queue when you arrive at your destination, but don't stress - you're not going to get left behind.
“If you’ve booked a package holiday, your tour operator will wait until everyone’s through passport control – they won’t leave you stranded,” says Tipton.
Travel companies will keep in touch and let you know what you need to do. “When you’re flying out of the UK, there’s no need to get to the airport early unless you’re told to,” says Tipton.
“Coming back to the UK, the best advice is to do what your airline or your tour operator tells you to. They’ll be very clear with their recommendations, so if they say get to the airport two or three hours before your flight time, do that.”
Richard Newsome, director of product at Saga Travel said: “The new European Entry and Exit System (EES) replaces manual passport stamping by recording biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) for all non-EU nationals entering and exiting the Schengen Area. You simply present your passport, have a photo taken and provide fingerprints.
“You won’t have to do anything before you travel, instead when this happens depends on your mode of transportation. If you fly, you will complete the process when you arrive into immigration at your destination. Eurostar travellers will be processed at UK passport control.
“We have factored all these additional steps into your holiday, so if there are any delays when you arrive at your destination airport then your Saga representative will still be there waiting for you.
“As our ocean cruise sailings begin and end in the UK and only include day visits to EU countries, you will be exempt from EES checks.”
“Once you arrive at the airport, go to passport control as soon as you’ve checked in your bags so if there’s a big queue, you’ve left yourself enough time,” says Tipton.
“Certainly in the larger airports, there are plenty of facilities to eat and drink.”
You might be worried about standing in a queue, so it's better to flag it sooner rather than later. “If you have any mobility issues it’s important you let your tour operator or airport staff know in advance so they can arrange special assistance because they need to get the resources in place in advance,” says Tipton.
When you book a holiday or cruise with Saga, there's lots of help available, from assistance at the airport to boarding your flight.
If you have any questions about special assistance you can discuss them when you book or before you travel. Find out more about special assistance
Make sure you have water, snacks, any medication you’ll need and a portable charger in case you do have to queue for a while.
“If it’s a busy time of year you’re going to have queues, but if you’re travelling outside of peak periods such as school holidays I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised and find the process of registration pretty straightforward,” says Tipton.
"Once you’ve registered, if there are e-gates there, go and use them – don’t join the manual passport check queue,” says Tipton.
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