EU's New Entry/Exit System Finally Begins Testing: What British Travellers Need to Know

The European Union's much-anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES) has officially entered its testing phase, marking a significant shift in how British travellers will experience European borders. After multiple delays, the automated IT system promises to revolutionise border management but could mean longer processing times for UK passport holders.

What Exactly Is the EES?

The Entry/Exit System is a sophisticated digital framework designed to register non-EU travellers each time they cross an external EU border. For British citizens, this represents the most substantial change in European travel since Brexit.

The system will automatically record:

Your name
Passport details
Biometric data including fingerprints and facial images
Date and place of entry and exit

Why This Matters for British Travellers

While the EES applies to all non-EU visitors, British travellers face particular adjustments. Gone are the days of quick passport stamps. Instead, prepare for biometric registration that could add significant time to your border crossing experience.

The system aims to:

Strengthen border security across the Schengen Area
Accurately monitor overstays by non-EU visitors
Replace manual passport stamping with digital tracking

Potential Impact on Travel Times

Initial testing has raised concerns about processing speeds. The requirement for first-time travellers to provide biometric data could create bottlenecks, especially at busy entry points like airports in Spain, France, and Italy.

Travel industry experts warn that without proper preparation and staffing, peak season queues could become substantially longer than current wait times.

What Happens Next?

The current testing phase focuses on technical functionality at select border crossings. While no official launch date has been confirmed, successful testing could see the system go live within months rather than years.

British travellers are advised to: