October 4, 2024

New EU Border Controls: Will Biometric Checks Start in November?

The EU's new biometric border system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), is facing delays as key countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands report they aren't ready to implement the changes.

So it's not just the UK government that couldn't organise a party in a brewery.

New Biometric Checks for EU Countries

Even so, UK operators, including Eurostar and Eurotunnel, are still preparing for the proposed launch on 10 November.

Don't be surprised if they get right to the deadline and then delay it. They did this with rules around motorcycles in France.

When I checked about a week before the deadline, it was still happening so I did a post about it. Then 48 hours before the new rules were supposed to come in they changed it! See the now corrected article about Motorcycle Lane Filtering in France.

What are the New EES Rules?

The EES will require non-EU travellers, including those from the UK, to undergo biometric checks—facial images and fingerprints—at external Schengen borders. If you think for a minute this won't cause total and utter chaos when these measures go into force, then you have more confidence than I do.

The checks, which will replace passport stamps, will be stored for three years. They will be implemented at key points such as Dover, Eurotunnel (Folkestone), and Eurostar (St. Pancras International).

I have to say though that I really do fear the worst, about congestion and the lack of any live testing for the new IT systems. Let's just hope that Horizon are not the ones in charge of this IT.

I've seen some reports that suggest ports may be given "flexibility to pause checks, if queues grow too long".

"If". I'd say when is far more likely.

Eurotunnel Still on Track

Despite these issues, UK operators continue their preparations, with Eurotunnel and Eurostar stating they will be ready for the November launch.

The rollout of the EES is critical for the EU's upcoming Etias visa waiver, planned for 2025. Similarly, the UK is launching its own Electronic Travel Authorisation. Which is already in force for some nationalities visiting the UK.

Currently the UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation only applies to people visiting from countries such as Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Though it is planned to take full effect in April 2025.

Finally

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