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Non-EU citizens and the EU's new border biometric checks

The new biometric system for entry checks will begin to be used on Sunday, when the long-delayed system is finally operational.

Entry/Exit System will require that all non-EU nationals register their personal information, including fingerprints, facial images and other details, upon entering the Schengen area. This includes all EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus as well as Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.

The EU can be confident that there won't be long lines at the border as data collection will be introduced gradually at border crossings.

Why is the EU making changes?

The new system eliminates the need to manually stamp passports on the EU's exterior border. Instead, it creates digital records which link a travel document with a person's id using biometrics.

The EU is looking to modernize the management of its borders, stop illegal immigration, combat identity fraud and identify overstayers.

It will check if people travelling into the bloc without a Visa adhere to the 90-day rule within a 180-day period.

What will happen?

Arriving in the Schengen zone for the first, anyone will be required to scan their passports. They will also need to register their fingerprints.

The EES database will check the details of travellers on departure to ensure compliance with time limits and register departure.

The facial biometric check will be required for all subsequent journeys.

Children under 12 years old will be required to register under EES, but only have their photo taken. EES is free for travellers.

Where will the checks be done?

Arriving at airports, ports and train stations in the Schengen Area.

The French border officials will oversee the EES registration at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel Terminal in Folkestone, as well as the Eurostar Terminal at London St Pancras. The check will not be required again by travellers until they leave their destination.

Will EES's introduction cause delays at the border?

The EU believes that the EES will not cause any major disruptions because it is being introduced gradually.

If processing times are excessively slow, border officials can suspend checks for a short period of time. From October 12, only freight and coach traffic at the Port of Dover as well as Eurotunnel's terminal in Folkestone will be subject to EES inspections.

Eurotunnel will begin passenger vehicle checks in November. Dover will follow by the end the year. Eurostar said that it would gradually introduce new border procedures.

The British Government has advised that travellers should allow extra time to travel as the new EU system is settling in. Meanwhile, Britain's Road Haulage Association says there could be longer delays at busy times.

The biggest test will be the holiday traffic in 2026 at Easter and the summer following when many families travel to the UK for the first time since the introduction of EES.

More Changes Coming in 2026

EES is the precursor of another system, which is scheduled to be operational by late 2026: The European Travel Information and Authorisation System.

Citizens from outside the Schengen zone will need to submit an ETIAS application, providing personal details and trip details. They will also be required to pay a fee of 20 euros before traveling.

The authorization will be valid until the expiration of a passport or for three years. Since April, Europeans visiting Britain must purchase an electronic permit before their trip. (Reporting by James Davey; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)

(source: Reuters)