United Kingdom citizens planning summer vacations to Europe are advised to prepare for longer border checks, as the introduction of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) has been delayed. Rather than relying on easy digital processing, British travelers will need to leave their cars at the border for biometric checks, which include fingerprinting and facial scans.
According to Doug Bannister, Chief Executive of the Port of Dover, biometric reviews will be performed manually until November 2025, affecting travelers entering the Schengen region by car.
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Why There Is A Delay In The EU Entry/Exit System
The European Union’s highly anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES) was expected to modernize border regulation by superseding the use of passport stamps with a biometric system. Hence, the EU has deferred the rollout of its confirmation app, pointing out development problems.
Bannister verified that the app will not be available before November 2025, although it may be introduced shortly after.
To address this adjustment, the Port of Dover has re-asserted 13 hectares of land to lodge passengers stepping out of cars for checks. This format is crucial for managing traffic inflow during the summer travel period.
What Biometric Checks Will Be Needed
Until the Entry/Exit System is used, all United Kingdom travelers are required to undergo the following reviews at EU borders:
- Facial scans and fingerprints will be acquired at the time of the first trip.
- Passport numbers will be digitally connected to biometric information.
- On subsequent travels, the information will be confirmed to award entrance.
- Manual passport stamping will proceed, which will be attached to the processing duration.
Crucially, even frequent travelers will be required to leave cars for confirmation at the time of each visit until the system becomes automated.
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No E-Gate Entry For UK Travelers Until Ees Goes Live
British nationals will also not be permitted to use e-gates at EU airports and borders until the Entry/Exit System is entirely functional. This implies prolonged queues and manual processing for all United Kingdom passport holders.
A bilateral consensus between the United Kingdom and the EU indicates that these manual procedures will continue until October 2025 unless the app becomes available sooner.
What Travelers Should Do To Get Ready
To prevent delays and complications during peak travel durations, United Kingdom tourists are required to:
- Land on time at ports and borders, mostly at Dover.
- Anticipate longer queues and be prepared to step out of your cars for inspections.
- Please bring all necessary documents, including authentic passports and relevant travel documents.
- If you are traveling in a group, ensure that everyone knows the procedure to minimize confusion and ensure a smooth trip.
- Monitor updates from the Port of Dover or EU travel advisory pages.
With the rollout of the Entry/Exit System app deferred, United Kingdom travelers will experience heightened examination at EU borders this summer and beyond. The manual fingerprinting and facial identification procedure will remain in place until November 2025. While this may cause inconveniences, early planning and awareness can help make the procedure easier.
Stay informed about the latest travel laws to ensure a stress-free journey to Europe.
