The rollout of the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) has led to travel disruptions for passengers heading to and from Europe, with many experiencing unforeseen delays and even missing flights due to extended queues at airports across the continent. However, certain travellers are completely exempt from the new system.
What is the EES?
The EES is designed to replace the manual passport-stamping process for non-EU nationals entering or leaving Schengen countries—a large group of European nations with border-free travel arrangements. The system captures travel data digitally using biometric information such as fingerprints, aiming to make passport control quicker and more secure once the majority of travellers have enrolled.
Who is Exempt from EES?
According to Travel to Europe, an official EU website, 13 separate categories of travellers do not need to use the EES and may be able to bypass airport queues:
- Nationals of European countries operating the EES, along with Cyprus, Ireland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and holders of passports issued by Vatican City State or the Holy See.
- Travellers with residence permits and long-stay visas.
- Non-EU nationals holding a residence card as a direct family member of an EU national, or a residence permit as a direct family member of a non-EU national entitled to free movement within Europe.
- Non-EU nationals visiting Europe for intra-corporate transfers or employment-related reasons such as research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes, educational projects, or au-pairing.
- Military personnel travelling on NATO or Partnership for Peace duties, carrying identification and movement orders as per the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, including civilian components or dependants, as well as NATO International Civilians stationed in EES-implementing countries and their dependants.
- Heads of state, accredited diplomats in certain circumstances, and cross-border workers.
- Holders of a valid local border traffic permit.
- Crew members aboard passenger and freight trains on international connecting services.
- Travellers not obliged to cross external borders at designated crossing points during set opening hours.
- Travellers carrying a valid Facilitated Rail Transit Document or Facilitated Transit Document, provided they travel by train and do not alight within an EU Member State.
Important Notes
Registering for the EES is entirely free, and passengers are not required to make any changes to their preparations before reaching the airport. Upon first encounter, border control officers will photograph the traveller's face and/or scan their fingerprints, recording this data in a digital file that remains active for three years. The significant queues and delays at airports are primarily due to the high volume of travellers being registered for the first time.
Official guidance on the Gov.uk website states: "On your first visit to the Schengen area, you may be asked to create a digital record at the port or airport on arrival. You may be asked to submit your fingerprints and have your photo taken at dedicated booths. You don't need to provide any information before travelling to a Schengen area country. The checks may take slightly longer than previously, so be prepared to wait during busy times."
