The European Union announced on Wednesday that a delayed new border-check system for non-EU nationals, which will do away with passport stamps, will finally launch in October.
The so-called Entry/Exit System (EES) was initially due to begin last November, but was pushed back at the last minute as several countries were not ready. The EES will record visitors’ date of entry and exit, and keep track of overstays and refused entries. Travellers will have details and biometric data—facial images and fingerprints—collected.
The system’s introduction has raised fears of queues and longer waiting times for those travelling to Europe by train, ferry or plane. In March, member states agreed on a phased rollout, which the European Commission said on Wednesday will begin on 12 October.
“This will strengthen security… by helping us identify overstayers, prevent irregular movements, and reduce document and identity fraud,” said Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Migration.
First agreed in 2017, the automated system will be used in the EU’s 27 countries, with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein—which are not EU members but part of the Schengen free movement area—will also implement it.
The Commission said that travellers “can expect information campaigns” at airports and other border crossings across the EU in the months leading up to the launch.
“With a six-month rollout, member states, travellers and businesses will have the time to adjust to the new system,” Brunner said. Under the phased approach, member states should work towards operating the system at half of border crossing points after three months, with full deployment expected by six months.
“EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete, so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts,” Britain’s Foreign Office said in a travel update.
