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According to information obtained by The Independent, the Entry/Exit Scheme (EES) of the European Union, which has faced numerous delays, is set to begin on October 6, 2024.
The pan-European Union project is defined as: “A computerized system for recording non-EU citizens who are visiting temporarily, every time they enter the external borders of European nations.”
Travellers from Britain going to Europe will be required to provide their fingerprints and facial biometric information, which will significantly lengthen the time it takes to go through customs at ports, train stations, and airports.
The implementation of EES has been consistently delayed due to challenges faced by member states in merging their border systems with a central database.
France has reportedly requested a delay in implementing EES until after the 2024 Paris Olympics in July and August. This is to prevent potential setbacks during a time when facilities are under high pressure.
Eurotunnel has announced that the car-carrying service LeShuttle, which operates between Folkestone and Calais, will begin on October 6, 2024.
In August of next year, member states must confirm their readiness for the launch of EES. There is growing pressure to implement the system promptly due to worries about an increase in terrorism.
The Independent has requested confirmation from the Home Affairs department of the European Commission.
Prior to the Brexit decision, the United Kingdom participated in the development of the new system. According to the European Union, the primary benefit of the EES is time-saving. The EES eliminates the need for passport stamping and streamlines border control processes, making travel to European countries that use the EES more efficient for the traveler.
However, the implementation of the new system may cause difficulties for operators when it comes to finding available space at borders for additional processing. This includes finding space for checking fingerprints and facial biometrics, especially during busy periods of passenger traffic.
The challenge is difficult at the two hard European Union frontiers in Kent: at the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel terminal at Folkestone. Passport checks are reciprocal: French Police aux Frontières officials examine documents before motorists board their cross-Channel transport.
If a person who is not a citizen of the European Union is present in the vehicle, according to the European Entry and Exit System (EES), the car must halt in order to record biometric information.
There is limited room for extra processing at both locations, particularly at the port.
According to Eurotunnel, the typical duration for handling a car at the French border will increase from less than a minute to a range of five to seven minutes.
The company is investing €78m (£67m) in setting up amenities at its ports in Kent and northern France, enabling drivers to exit their vehicles and provide biometric information.
The Entry/Exit Scheme will be enforced for all arrivals to European Union nations, with the exception of Cyprus and Ireland. It is also being implemented by Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
After the program is implemented, UK citizens traveling to Europe will need to obtain an online permit called Etias. This is expected to be implemented approximately six months after the EES is active, with a grace period of six months for travelers.
It is doubtful that Etias will become mandatory prior to the fall of 2025.
Please refer to our explanation on the EES and Etias.
Source: independent.co.uk
