EU to start rolling out biometrics entry system for non-EU visitors from October

The EU entry exit system (EES) system is being introduced ahead of the midterm break on schools and will impact any tourists or business travellers who are not EU citizens, including Britons.

“From 12 October onwards, member states will start introducing the EES gradually over a period of six months. Border authorities will progressively register the data of third country nationals crossing the borders. At the end of this period, the EES will be fully deployed at all border crossing points,” the EU said in a statement.

The plan to capture biometrics is part of the EU’s wider “smart border” programme which will allow the EU to speed up the entry of pre-approved frequent non-EU travellers while at the same time fighting against irregular migration.

Fingerprinting machines are already visible at the Eurostar terminal in London with kiosks being built for car, bus and truck passengers in Dover.

Passengers will be required to have their fingerprints or facial image verified but not both after passing through a border for the first time.

Once up and running fully it will be British tourists and other non-EU visitors will no longer have their passports stamped.

It will also enable the EU to see, at a glance, whether the passenger is overstaying.

“The is an advanced technological system that will digitally record the entries and exits of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries, including Schengen Associated ones, for short stays. It will capture biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial image, and other travel information, gradually replacing the current system of passport stamping,” the European Commission said.

Road transport operators including the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel had hoped an app would be ready for the launch of the EES, but it has been delayed as each member state works to integrate it into their own immigration system, which are of national, rather than EU, competency.

The rollout will take place over six months.

The EES requirements do not apply to all non-EU citizens with exclusions, for instance, for those with residence permits and passport holders from Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland or their family members.