EU’s New Digital Border Control: Fingerprint and Facial Recognition for UK Travelers Starting 2024
A Significant development impacting UK-EU travel, The European Union is set to implement a digital border control system commencing October 6, 2024. This advanced Entry/Exit System (EES) will require British travelers to undergo fingerprinting and facial scanning on their initial visit, as part of enhanced security measures.
Düsseldorf airport in Germany. The new digital border system is expected to cause significant delays-The Guardian
The Advent of a New Era in Border Management
Reports from the i and Times newspapers, citing Getlink (Eurotunnel’s owner), reveal that this sophisticated system is currently under trial. The EES will collect personal data at EU borders, feeding it into a comprehensive EU-wide database. This digital approach signifies a shift towards more secure and efficient border management, aligning with global trends in travel security.
EU fingerprint checks for British travellers to start in 2024. A new EU digital border system will require fingerprints and facial scans to be taken from British travellers on first use is expected to launch next autumn https://t.co/slh2y6h1IK #RishiSunak #Tories #BrexitReality
— Alexander von Witzleben (@AlexWitzleben) December 19, 2023
Implications for Travelers and Border Operations
The implementation of the EES mandates that UK passengers, on their first trip post-launch, consent to fingerprint and facial image capture. This data, inclusive of any record of entry refusals, aims to expedite future travel processes. However, this inaugural rollout could initially extend processing times. The Port of Dover anticipates an additional ten minutes per family, a notable increase from the current 45-90 seconds.
Furthermore, Eurotunnel estimates the average processing duration for cars at the French frontier will jump from under a minute to approximately 5-7 minutes. These changes underscore the need for travelers to plan for potential delays, particularly during the initial phase of the system’s operation.
Broader EU Initiatives and Future Plans
This system will apply to 25 EU countries, excluding Cyprus and Ireland, and four non-EU nations in the Schengen area. The checks, under UK-France reciprocal agreements, will be conducted in England at key departure points like the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel.
Post-EES deployment, the EU plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), akin to the US Esta scheme. This will necessitate non-EU citizens from 60 visa-free countries to complete a form and pay a fee before entering Europe’s passport-free zone, indicating a comprehensive overhaul of EU’s border control strategy.
