The Long-Awaited Implementation of the EU Entry-Exit System
After extensive delays and much anticipation, the day has finally come for the EU’s new entry-exit system (EES) to be implemented. This modernized and streamlined system has been in development for years but may still face some readiness challenges as it begins operation.
Starting from October 12, the majority of non-EU citizens will be required to submit their biometric data at various EU borders, including having their faces photographed and fingerprints taken, before they can enter the Schengen zone.
Interestingly, the UK, which was involved in the initial planning of this system, now finds itself categorized alongside countries such as Azerbaijan and Zimbabwe, following its exit from the EU. The initial plan for a pre-registration app has not come to fruition, necessitating that biometric procedures be carried out at each entry point like airports and ports.
This requirement is especially cumbersome for British citizens making brief trips across the Channel, as they must undergo these procedures on UK soil at places like London terminals or near the white cliffs of Dover. This process not only adds to their travel time but also requires them to provide sensitive information directly into a European database before they even start their actual journey to Europe.
Challenges and Adjustments at Key Travel Hubs
Key operators such as Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and the Port of Dover have had to overhaul their operations and invest heavily in new technologies and staff training to accommodate the EES. These changes have come at various levels of readiness and not without significant financial cost.
At Dover and the Eurotunnel, for instance, passengers are expected to exit their vehicles to complete the registration process, except in special circumstances like disabilities where border officers can assist directly with handheld devices. The Port of Dover has already voiced concerns about potential severe traffic issues, reminiscent of the disruptions caused by tighter border controls post-Brexit.
Getlink, the company operating Eurotunnel, has invested €80 million in border technology to minimize disruptions. The new infrastructure at Folkestone is designed to process up to 2,000 people per hour at peak times, with the CEO expressing confidence in their readiness and hinting at competitive advantages over less prepared operators.
Despite these preparations, some operators have adopted a wait-and-see approach, possibly due to past experiences with border policy changes. The Port of Dover, for instance, spent £17 million last year on infrastructure that is now seemingly redundant, as EES booths have been relocated further away from initially planned positions.
The EU has granted a phased implementation period of up to nine months, giving operators more time to adjust without overwhelming travelers with new requirements. Initially, Eurostar will invite frequent travelers to register, while Eurotunnel and Dover will start with coaches and freight, before including cars from November.
Technological Teething Problems and Future Prospects
The EES kiosks, as tested by the Guardian, required around two minutes per person to process, not including the time taken for standard passport controls. Once travelers are registered, re-entry within three years should be faster, using facial recognition technology similar to e-gates currently used in airports.
Eurostar’s set-up at St Pancras International Station in London is relatively compact, with the entire process designed to fit within the existing time recommendations for travelers to arrive before departure. However, they include additional screening questions not required by Eurotunnel, potentially extending processing times.
As for the broader EU strategy, only Sweden has plans to use a new mobile app to streamline border entries at selected points. Meanwhile, other EU countries are considering integrating similar technology. Border officials also have the discretion to suspend the EES temporarily should bottlenecks occur, ensuring flexibility in managing passenger flows.
This gradual rollout and the built-in flexibility signal the EU’s cautious approach to implementing a system that will fundamentally change how its borders are managed, particularly concerning the influx of visitors from countries with visa waivers, such as the United States.
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