Might the entry into operation of the EU entry/exit system (EES), the brand new biometric passport checks for non-EU residents on the Schengen space’s exterior borders, be delayed but once more?
Initially deliberate for Might 2022, EES has already been postponed many instances.
The present launch date, set for October 2024, was chosen to keep away from intervals of peak site visitors and France specifically had requested to keep away from it being launched till after the Paris Olympics this summer time.
When requested to verify the October begin date this week a spokesperson for the EU’s Fee advised The Native that the “roadmap” for the EES IT system foresees it is going to be prepared for Autumn 2024. However the precise begin date, in different phrases, the day when passengers should register, can be confirmed nearer the time.
The spokesperson stated: “The precise date shall be decided by the European Fee and introduced on the EES official web site properly in time for the beginning of operations.”
READ ALSO: Your key questions answered about Europe’s new EES passport checks
However the causes are including as much as recommend an October begin date is optimistic, even perhaps unlikely.
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Within the annual report on the ‘State of Schengen’ printed final week, the European Fee spelt out that extreme challenges stay if member states are to be prepared on time.
“In 2023, efforts to make sure the entry into operation of the Entry-Exit System within the autumn of 2024 had been accelerated… Whereas vital progress has been made throughout the Schengen space, some Member States are nonetheless falling behind, notably relating to the efficient tools of border crossing factors. The Fee calls on all Member States to urgently speed up preparations to make sure the well timed implementation of the system…”
A map within the report exhibits that preparation remains to be “in progress” in 13 Schengen space international locations, together with Germany, Norway and Switzerland. “Excellent points” nonetheless impression Portugal, Malta and Bulgaria.
The state of play for the preparations for EES throughout EU and Schengen states. Picture: European Fee.
There are additionally stories that EU heavyweight Germany is making an attempt to steer Brussels to delay.
Matthias Monroy, editor of the German civil rights journal Bürgerrechte & Polizei/CILIP claimed on his web site that “the German authorities is lobbying in Brussels to postpone the date as soon as once more, as in any other case the German exams of the EES can’t be accomplished in full. Different EU international locations are additionally delayed, with solely eight of them having reported profitable integration.”
Even on a French authorities web site it talks of EES being rolled out a while “between the top of 2024 and 2025” slightly than stating October 2024.
And in response to current media stories, French airports have been suggested to be prepared for November sixth, slightly than October.
READ ALSO: EES and Etias – what are the large upcoming journey modifications in Europe?
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A deliberate EU app, believed to be important to the graceful operation of EES as a result of it could enable non-EU guests to register upfront of journey won’t be prepared, Gwendoline Cazenave, Managing Director of Eurostar Worldwide, the corporate working prepare providers through the Channel Tunnel, has advised the BBC. The EU nevertheless insists the app doesn’t have to be up and operating earlier than EES is launched.
Within the UK, which shall be closely impacted by EES because of the reality it’s not within the EU and so British travellers are not EU residents, the Home of Commons European scrutiny committee is conducting an inquiry on the potential disruption the introduction of the EES will trigger on the border.
A number of respondents have just lately raised the alarm concerning the attainable delays the system might trigger, particularly on the UK-France border, which is utilized by tens of millions of passengers annually who head to France and different international locations throughout Europe.
Ashford Borough Council in Kent has warned of the opportunity of greater than 14 hours queues to succeed in the Port of Dover, which has already been struggling elevated checked after Brexit.
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The BBC reported that again in March, a P&O Ferries director stated the IT system must be delayed once more.
Airways have additionally complained concerning the reality pre-travel EES necessities would make final minute bookings unattainable.
The Union des Aéroports Français (UAF), which represents airports in France, has merely stated extra time is required.
In different phrases, it could be little shock if the roll out was delayed once more past October 2024.
However the Fee spokesperson advised The Native that “the timeline for the entry into operation of the EES took into consideration all the mandatory actions to be carried out by all related stakeholders to make sure a well timed entry into operation.
“The Fee is working very carefully with eu-Lisa [the EU agency in charge of the IT system], the Member States and carriers to make sure that the whole lot is prepared for the well timed and profitable launch of the Entry Exit System.
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“The roadmap for the supply of the brand new IT structure foresees that the Entry/Exit system shall be able to enter into operation in Autumn 2024.”
New digital border
The EES is a digital system to register travellers from non-EU international locations after they cross a border in or out of the Schengen space, the travel-free space. It will likely be deployed in 29 international locations throughout Europe together with 25 EU states plus Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Eire and Cyprus are the one EU members who will not apply the EES system.
It does not apply to non-EU nationals who’re legally resident in an EU/Schengen space nation or these with twin nationality of an EU /Schengen county. The system was designed to extend safety and to make sure that non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen space short-term don’t remain greater than 90 days in any 180-day interval.
As a substitute of getting the passport stamped, travellers should scan it at self-service kiosks earlier than crossing the border. Nevertheless, fingerprints and a photograph should be registered in entrance of a guard on the first crossing and there are enormous considerations the additional time wanted might generate lengthy queues within the UK, the place there are juxtaposed border checks with the EU.
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Preparations are ongoing all through Europe and a few international locations have made good progress.
In France, Getlink, the operator of the Channel Tunnel, has just lately reported that new EES infrastructure is completed at its French terminal of Coquelles, which can enable travellers to register their biometric knowledge whereas travelling.
Eurostar can be putting in 49 kiosks in stations for the registration of passengers. However the Union des Aéroports Français (UAF), which represents airports in France, stated extra time is required.
Exempted
In the meantime, the Polish authorities has urged UK residents who’re beneficiaries of the EU-UK Withdrawal Settlement to get a residence allow “within the context of EES/ETIAS”, although there was not such an obligation to remain legally in Poland post-Brexit.
“Having such a doc is useful as it is going to exempt from future Entry/Exit System (EES) registration when crossing exterior borders and from the necessity to get hold of an ETIAS journey allow in relation to short-term journey to EU/Schengen international locations,” the federal government web page says.
This text as printed in collaboration with Europe Avenue information.