The rollout of the European Union's new Entry/Exit System (EES) has caused significant disruptions for travellers heading to and from Europe. Airports across the continent are now required to implement the system, leading to unexpected queues and, in some cases, passengers missing their flights. However, a number of travellers are completely exempt from having to use the new system, which could help them avoid the delays.
What is the EES?
The EES is designed to replace the old manual system of stamping passports when non-EU nationals enter or leave the Schengen Area, a group of European countries with border-free travel. The new system logs travel digitally using biometric details such as fingerprints, aiming to make passport control quicker and more secure once most travellers have registered.
Who is Exempt from EES?
According to the official EU travel website, 13 different categories of travellers are exempt from using the EES and may be able to bypass the airport queues. These include:
- Nationals of European countries using EES, as well as Cyprus, Ireland, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and holders of passports issued by the Vatican City State or the Holy See.
- Travellers with residence permits and long-stay visas.
- Non-EU nationals holding a residence card and who are immediate relatives of an EU national, or those with a residence permit who are immediate relatives of a non-EU national who can travel throughout Europe like an EU citizen.
- Non-EU nationals travelling for intra-corporate transfers or work purposes such as research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes, educational projects, or au-pairing.
- Members of the armed forces travelling on NATO or Partnership for Peace business, provided they have identification and an individual or collective movement order. This also applies to NATO International Civilians based in any of the 29 European countries using the EES and their dependents.
- Heads of state, accredited diplomats in some cases, and cross-border workers.
- Holders of a valid local border traffic permit.
- Crew members of passenger and goods trains on international connecting journeys.
- Travellers who do not need to cross external borders at border crossing points during fixed opening hours.
- Travellers with a valid Facilitated Rail Transit Document or Facilitated Transit Document, provided they travel by train and do not disembark within any EU Member State.
How EES Registration Works
The EES registration process is free and does not require travellers to do anything before arriving at the airport. Passport control officers will take a photo of the traveller's face and/or scan their fingerprints, recording this information in a digital file that remains valid for three years. For many travellers encountering the system for the first time, the registration process at airports is causing the current queues and delays.
Official guidance on the UK government 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."
