Introduction of European Entry-Exit Scheme (EES)

[eoff]

I find it very hard to believe that the rollout will actually be complete by then. That is less than two months away and dozens of the smaller ferry ports and land crossings and airports have not even begun their EES rollout yet. They still have no EES equipment installed. That might still be their official target date but there is very little chance that it will actually happen.

There is a fudge though, the target date is still 9 April but the EU recently confirmed that member states can apply 'contingenly' measures up to September. I can't find an EU reference for that but only this...

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) implementation deadline remains 9 April 2026

There have been reports in the media over the past week suggesting the completion of the EES rollout has been postponed until September 2026. These reports are incorrect.

www.abta.com

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) implementation deadline remains 9 April 2026​

There have been reports in the media over the past week suggesting the completion of the EES rollout has been postponed until September 2026. These reports are incorrect.

On Friday 30 January, the European Commission confirmed the deadline is 9 April, and that the legislation allows Member States to continue to apply contingency measures through to September 2026, which would help during the busy summer months. This is not new and has always been part of the EES rollout plans.

 

[MrJeeves]

I can't find an EU reference for that but only this...

Regulation (EU) 2025/1534 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2025 on temporary derogations from certain provisions of Regulations (EU) 2017/2226 and (EU) 2016/399 as regards the progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System

Regulation - EU - 2025/1534 - EN - EUR-Lex

eur-lex.europa.eu

Article 7

Suspension of the EES

[...]

3. During a period of 90 days after the end of the progressive start of operations of the EES, Member States may partially suspend the operations of the EES as referred to in paragraph 1, second subparagraph, at a certain border crossing point for a maximum of 6 hours in exceptional circumstances that lead to traffic of such intensity that the waiting time at a border crossing point becomes excessive. During such a partial suspension, Member States shall be exempt from their obligation set out in Article 21(1) of Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 as regards the registration of biometric data. Member States shall promptly, and in any event no later than 6 hours from the start of the partial suspension, notify the Commission and eu-LISA of the reason for the suspension and of its expected or actual duration.

4. If less than 80 % of the individual files registered in the EES during the progressive start of operations of the EES contain biometric data, the period of 90 days referred to in paragraph 3 shall be automatically extended by 60 days.

Their mention of September seems to imply that paragraph 4 above is likely to engage in reality, making the 90 day period into 150 days.

 

[ainsworth74]

Went through Brussels-Midi just now. There were signs of new e-gates being installed level with the French (I think they do it here or is Belgian?) manned border booths but it was all manual checking. Had my finger prints checked (I was a little worried as the Riga border agent only got three fingers and this guy asked for four but it was fine) and that was it. I had hoped I could use a manned UK border post (I want a UK entry stamp in my UK passport for fun ) but the lanes were closed so everyone was funnelled to e-gates unless you were spotted as needing to go through a manned check (travelling with kids, etc).

 

[Class73Electro]

Popped over to Caen on my bike, so go to use the car lanes for the EES Experience...

Nothing. No sign of any fingerprint scanners. Just got my passport stamped and off on my way, no questions or anything! Very quick, out the port within 15 minutes! Which was appreciated as was a bit drizzly!

 

[MrJeeves]

Had my finger prints checked (I was a little worried as the Riga border agent only got three fingers and this guy asked for four but it was fine) and that was it.

Unless you've now ended up with two different biometric profiles linked to your passport...

 

[EYFanatic]

Just curious - if one has a full beard for work purposes (like an actor) and has the picture taken and at a later date shaves it off will the system still accept you or will it be confused by a clean shaved person?

Assuming the system works right, of course

 

[ainsworth74]

Unless you've now ended up with two different biometric profiles linked to your passport...

Well, let's not worry about that until I'm a border posting trying to explain to the gruff agent why I appear twice on their database

 

[peteb]

Entered Sweden at Stockholm ARN airport Friday. Did face & finger recognition (previously loaded at Zurich ZRH) at manned booth, had passport stamped. Travelling companion had photo taken for EES but fingerprints wouldn't work, but passport stamped anyway.

 

[zero]

Once biometric information has been captured for a particular passport, I would have thought all subsequent captures (whether at a kiosk or e-gate or manned desk) would be compared to the initial biometrics and an alert issued for any discrepancies.

Facial hair should not affect biometrics.

 

[MrJeeves]

Once biometric information has been captured for a particular passport, I would have thought all subsequent captures (whether at a kiosk or e-gate or manned desk) would be compared to the initial biometrics and an alert issued for any discrepancies.

So would I, but at least one person I know ended up with two separate profiles! A border agent managed to combine the two and add missing entries/exits from non-EES ports to resolve their record though.

 

[YorkshireBear]

Innsbruck airport, some border guards taking finger prints, some not. Very random. Didn't get mine taken but was expecting to. No idea!

 

[peteb]

Further to my post #698 above, my travelling companion had their fingerprints taken on leaving Oslo for London as there were few passengers about and the border guards said they might as well get them on the system whilst it was quiet! Still got stamped out of Norway.....!

 

[MrJeeves]

Still got stamped out of Norway.....!

Stamping is expected during the transition period.

 

[The exile]

Stamping is expected during the transition period.

If controls are to have any point at all, it will have to continue until the digital system is up and running reliably at all legitimate points of entry/ exit. Whether that is April 10th remains to be seen.

 

[EYFanatic]

As per my last post, Ijmuiden was doing manual checks and stamps on Tuesday in both directions. Asked why and the boarder guard said that they have issues with the system throwing up false flags and failing under heavy loads which I found curious

 

[The exile]

As per my last post, Ijmuiden was doing manual checks and stamps on Tuesday in both directions. Asked why and the boarder guard said that they have issues with the system throwing up false flags and failing under heavy loads which I found curious

I should have thought that another reason (on entry at least) is that there is no guarantee at that point that you’re going to leave via a border crossing where the tech is up and running - so until they all are, you need belt and braces.

 

[Class73Electro]

I should have thought that another reason (on entry at least) is that there is no guarantee at that point that you’re going to leave via a border crossing where the tech is up and running - so until they all are, you need belt and braces.

random(ish) question which kind of follows on from this. if you own a boat or yachtr and sail across, how are you going to be EESed then?

 

[The exile]

random(ish) question which kind of follows on from this. if you own a boat or yachtr and sail across, how are you going to be EESed then?

Unless you enter at a port with immigration facilities (or arrange / pay for some to be there) then you are an illegal immigrant - exactly as you were before.

 

[Segedunum]

Košice Airport had the system in full swing last night. Noticeably quite quick - as its recently felt like some border guards are waiting for Godot before you get your stamp.

 

[island]

Fully operative at Turin airport recently. On arrival, all passengers liable to EES were sent to the registration machines and thereafter to their choice of staffed counter or automatic gates, with a stamp afterwards for the latter. On departure, one manual desk was operative for all passports, and anyone could use the gates, which have been retrofitted with fingerprint scanners for those in-scope. Again, a border guard afterwards stamped passports which needed to be stamped.

 

[eastwestdivide]

St Pancras today. Pre-reg booths for new entry-exit system on "Thameslink corner" were all lit up but the room was shut.
I was there to catch the 1201 Eurostar. Opens 1030, sitting in cafe with tea at 1047. Had photo and fingerprints done at French passport booth then stamped. No questions on where or why I'm going.
Boarded 1135, all pretty relaxed.
Bonus parallel departure with an 810 on a Sheffield train!

 

[Mojo]

Just arrived at Munich. I was the first person to go to the registration machines from my flight and it took photograph as well as right hand only fingerprints - no questions asked on the machine. When I got to the back of the queue for non-EEA passport control (you have to go beyond the back of the queue for passport control and then double back to join the queue) there were about 20 people from my flight infront of me none of whom would have used the machines but all of whom were let through with no further examination or questioning - so I’m not sure if I actually needed to use the machines.

 

[Mag_seven]

I’m not sure if I actually needed to use the machines.

This is what I find utterly confusing about the whole thing. I thought that you only had to use a machine once to register i.e. get your photo and fingerprints taken. All subsequent border crossings would simply be checking your photo and fingerprints on entering and leaving (either at an e-gate or manned booth) with passport stamps an additional requirement until April 10th.

 

[D6130]

This is what I find utterly confusing about the whole thing. I thought that you only had to use a machine once to register i.e. get your photo and fingerprints taken. All subsequent border crossings would simply be checking your photo and fingerprints on entering and leaving (either at an e-gate or manned booth) with passport stamps an additional requirement until April 10th.

AIUI, you will have to register each time you cross a UK/EU border - and have your passport stamped - until such time as all entry/exit points have the new system up-and-running. Open to correction as always though!

 

[island]

This is what I find utterly confusing about the whole thing. I thought that you only had to use a machine once to register i.e. get your photo and fingerprints taken. All subsequent border crossings would simply be checking your photo and fingerprints on entering and leaving (either at an e-gate or manned booth) with passport stamps an additional requirement until April 10th.

What was meant to happen was one registration with photo and fingerprints, then either photo or fingerprints checked at subsequent trips. But it seems to be highly inconsistent.

 

[ainsworth74]

Just arrived in Budapest and it was all a little odd. Four manned border posts but then there was a fella at the front of the queue with a fingerprint reader checking people. But I was called to a booth before he checked me. Booth did all the usual, finger prints, picture and stamp.

 

[popeter45]

Fresh delay for new EU border checks at Dover amid technical problems

The new system was due to be fully implemented at the Eurotunnel and Port of Dover on 10 April.

www.bbc.co.uk

New EU border checks delayed again over tech issues​

looks like the introduction for Juxaposed control locations (Dover and Eurotunnel, no mention of St pancras but could also fall under Eurotunnel) has been delayed beyond April 10th

 

[kje7812]

Fresh delay for new EU border checks at Dover amid technical problems

The new system was due to be fully implemented at the Eurotunnel and Port of Dover on 10 April.

www.bbc.co.uk

looks like the introduction for Juxaposed control locations (Dover and Eurotunnel, no mention of St pancras but could also fall under Eurotunnel) has been delayed beyond April 10th

I had my photo taken at St Pancras and then fingerprints and photo taken at Rotterdam on the return last Wednesday (18th).

 

[route101]

Fingerprints taken at Oslo on arrival and stamped. On departure from Sola I had my photo taken and stamped. No questions asked for a change.
Will be surprised if the stamping stops next week.

 

[gswindale]

Arrived in Fuerteventura yesterday. Groups of adults being directed towards the kiosks, but we went straight to the manned booths. Some people in front of us seemed to be having photos/prints taken, but our passports were scanned & stamped and we were on our way. Don't know if that was because we were registered in Finland in December, or if they were only doing x% of passengers?