EES Process

Upon arrival at Schengen Area border controls, a self-service terminal will collect important information on your expected stay, including:

• Your passport details – recorded digitally from biometric passport data
• a picture – taken automatically by the terminal’s camera
• fingerprints – taken as instructed by the terminal
• Details of your visit – including number of days and how you expect to pay for your visit

This will, in time, replace the need to have your passport physically stamped when entering or leaving the Schengen Area.

The process is quick and easy, and once completed on first entry to a specific country will not have to be completed as thoroughly for three years. The EU is developing an app to further facilitate these repeat visits. The Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are currently exempt from the rollout of EES.

At the Port of Dover extra members of border staff, equipped with mobile terminals, will be on hand to efficiently complete EES requirements. In time, both Dover and St Pancras International expect to expand their border processing areas to better facilitate EES.

EES Roll-Out

The EU has confirmed that EES will be rolled out in phases when it does go live. This means that you may experience a different border procedure if you pass through different ports or airports, even in the same country, whilst this phased roll-out takes place.

The Schengen Area

The Schengen Area includes the following countries:

• All 27 EU Countries, except Cyprus and the Republic of Ireland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Switzerland

There are slight variations in how EES is being applied in each participant state. In some cases, UK nationals and other passport holders may be able to use passport e-gates upon arrival or departure – it is not yet understood how this will interact with the new EES system. A phased roll-out of the scheme will mean that you may experience a different border crossing experience passing through different border posts in the same country for a short time.

EES Launch Date

It is not yet known when EES will go live. It has been repeatedly delayed from its initial 2023 launch, with limited communications from the European Commission as to its status. According to the EU regulations governing roll-out, at least two months notice must be given before EES is launched – plenty of notice should therefore be provided in due course.