EES passport checks
All the news and essential information about the EU and Schengen area's new Entry/Exit passport checks known as EES.
Europe's airports and airlines demand EES rethink as 'unacceptable' delays continue
One year on since the introduction of the EU's EES digital border system, the European airports and airlines association has called on EU authorities to take action to ease ongoing congestion at Schengen external border crossings that has led to 5-hour waits in some cases.
Could Europe's border queues get longer this month as key EES date passes?
Monday September 7th could be a key date for the full enforcement of the EU's biometric border checks across the Schengen area with concerns raised that queues at border checks could get longer and slower this month.
Your key questions answered about the Schengen area's 90-day rule
The EU/Schengen area's '90-day' rule is a complicated one that causes much confusion for travellers - here we answer some of the most common questions from readers of The Local.
Airport bosses warn EU's new border checks triple waiting times for Brits
European airport bosses have warned that new EU border checks are significantly increasing waiting times for British nationals arriving in the bloc, in some cases tripling the average.
Which European countries are already using the EES pre-registration app?
The EU's border agency Frontex developed an app allowing travellers to pre-register for its Entry/Exit System rollout. With the summer travel season upon us and queues expected at tourist hotspots, what happened to the app and which countries are using it?
EES: 8,700 overstayers snared since launch of EU's new Schengen border checks
In the first six months of operation of the new EU digital border system, the Entry-Exit System (EES), more than 8,700 travellers were denied entry into Europe's border-free Schengen area because they had stayed beyond their permitted time limit.
Europe's EES border checks won't be suspended, EU insists
The European Commission is refusing to suspend strict new border controls despite pressure from airports and airlines who have demanded they be put on hold until after summer amid fears of chaos at holiday hotspots.
'Critical point': Europe's airports demand urgent action to avoid summer border delays
European airport and airline associations have once again urged the European Commission to take immediate action as they warn the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) risks travel mayhem and misery for millions this summer.
Tourism chiefs and European ferry ports sound alarm over summer border chaos
European ferry ports have sounded the alarm about the impact of the EU's new EES checks this summer at the same time as global tourism chiefs say travellers from around the world are being put off by the prospect of long border delays in Europe.
Travel in Austria: Can I opt out of giving biometrics under EU's new border checks?
Non-EU travellers heading to Austria and other Schengen countries will soon face biometric border controls as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) comes into force on October 12th. But can travellers opt out?
Full rollout of new EU border checks hit by delays and disruption
Despite claims that the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) border checks would be "fully operational" by April 10th, many airports have reported disruption and some Channel ports don't even have the technology for full rollout yet.
European airports record longer waits at borders as EES deadline looms
European airports and airlines organisations issued on Monday the latest warning about the next implementation phase of the EU's new biometric border system, “as the transition phase comes to an end right in the travel peak of the Easter holidays.”
UK warns of Easter travel delays due to new EU border checks
The British government has alerted UK tourists travelling to the Schengen area around Easter about the full implementation of EU’s new Entry/Exit border system (EES), urging travellers to allow additional time for journeys.
EU's EES biometric passport checks catch 4,000 over-stayers in first 4 months
One of the stated aims of the EU's new EES system of biometric passport checks is to catch people who 'over-stay' the 90-day limit, and 4,000 of those have been caught in the first months of its implementation, according to an EU official.
'4-hour queues': Europe's airlines and airports fear summer travel chaos
Airlines across Europe have called on EU chiefs to review the ongoing roll-out for the EES biometric border checks amid fears the system will lead to border chaos this summer.
EU says countries can halt EES checks over summer to avoid travel chaos
Member States will have the green light to partially suspend Europe's Entry/Exit System (EES), the new EU digital border system, over the summer to avoid any travel chaos at ports and airports during peak season.
'Mayhem and chaos': Europe's airports demand urgent review of new border system
The association of European airports called on Thursday for an urgent review of the new EU border system, amid “mounting operational issues” that could affect the holiday season.
NEW: Europe launches long-awaited EES biometric border checks
From Sunday, non-EU travellers entering Europe's Schengen open-borders zone will gradually be photographed and fingerprinted at border crossings, as the European Union rolls out its much-delayed automated border checks.
What will new EES border checks mean for non-EU residents in Europe?
The EU's new Entry & Exit System (EES) of enhanced passport controls will be launched on October 12th, albeit in a phased in approach, but how will it impact non-EU residents legally living in EU/Schengen countries?
Austrian airports reveal timeline for rollout of EES passport checks
Austria will start introducing the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) at airports from October 12th, with Vienna confirmed as the first location to rollout the checks for non-EU travellers.
Dover and Eurotunnel reveal start dates for new EES passport checks
Car passengers travelling from the UK to France and onwards to other European countries will not be immediately subject to the EES biometric border checks that are set to be launched on October 12th.
How will the EU's new EES passport checks affect the 90-day rule?
One of the stated aims of the EU's new Entry & Exit System is to catch over-stayers, especially those who have over-stayed their 90-day allowance. Here's a look at what changes for those who currently travel visa-free to Europe.
EU confirms launch date for new border system to 'help identify overstayers'
The European Union confirmed on Wednesday that a delayed new border-check system for non-EU nationals, which will do away with passport stamps, will finally launch in October.