All ports, airports and land borders must install new technologies before the launch of the Entry and Exit System on November 10.
Travelers from outside the EU prepare for the launch of the new Entry and Exit System (SES) the November 10but are the Schengen countries prepared to welcome them?
Europe’s new digital border system, which has been repeatedly delayed, has caused great concern. But finally, new scanners are appearing at airports across the EU and Processing zones have been created at international ports and train stations.
Millions of euros have been invested in preparing the new controls, which will record the biometric data of non-EU passengers every time they enter and leave the Schengen area.
Still, tourists have been warned possible delays and queues at checkpoints when the SES launches this fall.
What is the UK doing to prepare for the SES?
Arguably, the changes will affect more to the United Kingdom after Brexitsince travelers will be forced to pass through new obstacles when visiting the EU.
While airport controls will be carried out upon arrival in EU countriesthose of international train, car and ferry will take place before departure from the United Kingdom.
The British Government is striving to reduce queues and disruption. This week it announced funding of 10.5 million pounds (12.5 million euros) to support preparations at the port of Dover, the Channel Tunnel Folkestone and Eurostar at St Pancras train station in London.
This money will be used to establish the technology and processes needed for hassle-free registration on the SES, including the creation of a dedicated processing center at the Port of Dover and the installation of additional self-service kiosks for Eurotunnel and Eurostar passengers.
At these kiosks, British travelers will have to register at the border by taking your fingerprints and photographs.
According to the British Government, the funds will also be allocated to “perform rigorous testing to reduce the risk of disruption“and to support the hiring and training of personnel that contribute to a more fluid implementation of the SES.
Nobody wants excessive queues
British ministers say the funding will help minimize disruption for the travelers british already ensure that SES registration begins smoothly.
“No one wants to see excessive queues at our portsThat’s why we’re providing this funding to ensure our borders are as prepared as possible for the coming change, even though the SES is an EU initiative,” says UK Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood.
“Since we came to Government, we have been reviewing the plans and closely supporting the ports to ensure they have the adequate processes so that registration in the SES is carried out without problems and waiting times in queues are minimal.
According to the Government, the port of Dover, Eurotunnel and Eurostar are “on track to achieve a smooth transition before entry into force later this year.”
Despite concerns expressed at the beginning of the year, all three ports now offer a more promising outlook for the implementation of the SES.
ADVERTISING“Eurostar will be fully prepared and will comply with the regulations in Novemberwhich will ensure a smooth transition for all our passengers,” says Simon Lejeune, Head of Security and Stations at Eurostar.
Yann Leriche, CEO of Getlink – which operates Eurotunnel – adds that thanks to two years of preparations and 70 million pounds (83 million euros) in investments, “when the new regulations are introduced, people will travel through the Channel tunnel with the same ease as today.”
The European Commission now insists that all Member States are prepared for the changes, although some, such as Maltawhich had to implement an alternative manual system until July due to not having started the SES preparations sufficiently in advance, They had to wait until July.
“In each and every one of the airports, ports and roads entering Europe we will have digital border controlsall connected and switched on at the same time,” said Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, on 16 August.
ADVERTISINGAre delays inevitable when the SES is launched?
Despite these preparations, travel agencies British women continue to doubt the implementation of the SES. Lack of awareness among travelers and varying levels of preparation at different airports could lead to “long queues, chaos and confusion”, travel association AITO has warned.
AITO has requested that the transition period is extended and controls are relaxed when waiting times are long.
However, the European Commission confirmed to ‘Euronews Travel‘in July that’all travelers subject to the SES will be registered in the system at all border crossings from day one”, adding that it has provided all EU Member States with the “necessary tools to ensure smooth traffic”.
In some countries it will be available a mobile application that will allow passengers to pre-register their data before travelingbut this measure is being adopted voluntarily.
ADVERTISINGThere has also been concern that the launch of the SES coincides with the progressive introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for visa-free travellers, which began in May.
The introduction of the ETA travel system is expected in the first half of 2025, which will force the travelers non-community visa exempt to obtain an electronic travel authorization for 7 euros, complicates travel even more.
