Will the EU’s New Entry/Exit System Lead to Travel Delays?

Over the past few decades, global travel has surged, necessitating that governments maintain their competitiveness as attractive destinations for tourism, trade, investment, and education. Simultaneously, they must navigate a rapidly evolving economic, political, social, and security landscape, which increasingly demands robust public security measures. This dual need has spurred the development of advanced biometric and digital technologies aimed at delivering more efficient, effective, and secure border and migration services, both overseas and domestically.

At the core of these advancements is identity assurance, a pivotal component in modern border management. The EES, set to replace the current practice of manually stamping passports in October, represents a major leap forward in this area. By automating the registration of travellers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border, the EES will enhance the quality of border checks, deter irregular migration, and bolster security. The system will record fingerprints, facial images, and the date/place of both entry and exit, thereby improving border check accuracy and aiding in the identification of overstayers and illegal migrants.

Operational Challenges and Adaptations

Despite its benefits, the EES poses significant operational challenges for EU member states. The introduction of this EU’s New Entry/Exit system will lead to more complex border flows, increased processing times, infrastructure pressures, and interoperability issues. Member states are already adjusting their processes to address these challenges, but the transition may involve longer processing times for third-country nationals at border crossings.

To mitigate these challenges, the EES regulation includes provisions for National Facilitation Programmes, designed to expedite border crossing for low-risk, pre-vetted, and pre-registered travellers. While some authorities have expressed interest in these programmes, their immediate focus has been on implementing self-enrolment kiosk technology at border control points to streamline the process.

The EU’s new Entry/Exit System is a significant step forward in enhancing border security and migration management. However, the operational challenges it brings cannot be overlooked. As member states continue to adapt and integrate these new systems, travellers may experience longer processing times and changes in border crossing procedures. The success of the EES will depend on the effective implementation of new technologies and processes, as well as ongoing adjustments to ensure a smooth transition and minimal disruption to travellers.

By addressing these challenges head-on, the EU aims to maintain its position as a competitive and secure destination for global travel, balancing the need for security with the facilitation of legitimate travel.