Britons travelling to EU to undergo new biometric checks at border from Sunday | European Union

The first British citizens and other non-EU nationals will be subject to new biometric checks when traveling to Europe from Sunday, when the long-delayed entry-exit system (EES) is finally introduced.

A phased rollout to avoid chaos at borders means another six months may pass before every passenger is checked, and passport stamping may continue until the system is fully operational.

Under the EES, most non-EU or European Economic Area citizens or residents to travel to the Schengen area will be photographed and have their fingerprints scanned at the border.

Travelers will need to scan their passports and may also be asked to verify whether they have accommodation, a return ticket, sufficient funds and travel/health insurance, although not all border crossings will request this.

Banks of the machines have been installed at airports and borders across Europe in anticipation of the system, which was initially planned for a launch date of 2022.

Cross-Channel departure points where the French and EU border is within UK territory, including Eurostar at St Pancras international railway station, have invested tens of millions of pounds in infrastructure and computer systems to adapt to the new requirements.

The time needed for additional checks (especially for drivers and passengers who will have to abandon their vehicles for information) has led to fears of long queues, particularly at the Port of Dover ferry terminal and, to a lesser extent, the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone.

Two overflow areas for motorway traffic in Kent have been secured by the government in case the queue backs up.

However, due to its phased rollout, the fear of congestion has greatly diminished. Only buses and HGVs will be checked at Eurotunnel and Dover for the first month, and only a small number of passengers will be asked to sign up for Eurostar until January.

The European Commission said on Friday it expected the system to mean “travel will become smoother and safer for everyone”, with databases automatically offering border authorities across the EU instant access to irregularities.

During the rollout, EU member states will be able to decide when and where to start implementing the system. The Commission said this would allow “border authorities, the transport sector and passengers to begin to benefit from the new system while ensuring they adapt to the new procedures”.

The UK government is expected to be in close contact with EU officials to monitor the rollout of the app and has launched an information campaign for travellers. It was stated that the checks should only take about two minutes per person, but there may be longer waits upon arrival in the Schengen area.

UK transport minister Keir Mather said: “Our priority is to minimize disruption for passengers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings.

“We will continue to work closely with European partners and local resilience forums to ensure traffic flows and journeys remain smooth.”

Almost half of Britons and 39% of regular travelers are unaware of EES requirements, according to latest research from travel organization Abta.

Many Britons who exceed the 90-day limit for visits within a 180-day post-Brexit period are believed to have so far avoided detection. An Abta spokesman said: “This will eventually make travel easier. However, those who breach the 90-day rule will be automatically detected.”

The transport industry has called on the government to provide exemptions for professional drivers who may have already been taken across the border.

Trade body Logistics UK welcomed the phased rollout but said “disruption is inevitable” and called on the government to work with France to develop an app that would allow drivers to register away from the border.

EU expects passport stamping to be phased out before April 10 ahead of busy summer and travelers are advised to stamp passports to the official website If they are unsure of the requirements.

EES requirements will apply to countries in the Schengen area, which includes non-EU countries Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, but does not include Ireland and Cyprus.