Brits could face longer queues in the EU from this week (file picture) (Image: Getty)
British tourists heading to holiday destinations in the European Union are once again to face renewed border queues. The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) emergency flexibility measures are to come to an end on September 6, with Brussels deciding not to extend the discretionary powers to pause the controls. The EES was officially introduced in October and became fully operational in April.
But over the summer, member states were given the authority to temporarily suspend the collection of travellers’ biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, in exceptional circumstances to help reduce congestion, as the extra checks had sparked long queues at several airports and even led some travellers to miss their flights. As there seemingly is no plan from the EU to extend the deadline, border authorities will have less flexibility to ease the checks despite passport control areas becoming overwhelmed.
Airlines last week called on the European Commission to extend its discretionary powers to suspend EES controls where necessary until the end of 2026, but Brussels has not yet signalled it will do so.
Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at the UK travel industry trade body Abta, said it was continuing to press the European Commission to allow discretionary suspensions of border checks beyond September, “recognising that there is still some way to go until EES is fully and consistently operational across all participating countries”.
Jurgen Himmelmann, co-founder and CEO of Global Work & Travel, said travellers should now consider possible delays at border control when planning their travels.
He said, as reported by Euronews: “Getting to the airport early is sensible, but there is a limit to how much control that gives you. Bag-drop desks may not be open four hours before departure, and once you’re in a passport-control queue, you can’t simply skip ahead because your flight is boarding.
“I’d avoid planning a journey around the minimum connection time over the next few weeks. A connection that looks perfectly reasonable on paper can become uncomfortable very quickly if you lose an hour or more at the border.”
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Cross-Channel travellers to France are not expected to face any changes next week because of technical problems with the EES software commissioned by French authorities.
Fingerprinting kiosks procured by Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and Eurostar at London St Pancras remain out of operation. Dover said it was not expecting any changes next week, with car drivers still not subject to EES checks.
A Eurotunnel spokesperson said it was “awaiting confirmation from the French authorities on the timing of this next phase” but was “ready to implement full biometric checks as soon as formal clearance is granted”.
At a press briefing on September 1, a European Commission (EC) spokesperson said the Entry/Exit System (EES) had “broadly worked well” over the summer, adding that “the advantages of the new system for the EU are evident”.
With the flexibility measures due to end on 6 September, the spokesperson said the EC was “in close and constructive contact” with the few member states where adjustments were still needed at certain border crossing points.
“Overall, we can see that there is a strong joint will to make the system work everywhere,” the spokesperson said.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
