Starting this Sunday, the UK government officially implements the Entry-Exit System (EES). These will be the new rules that apply to Britons visiting countries in the Schengen zone. The EES would improve control of the external borders, while ensuring a swift movement of legitimate travellers. The system would cover all EU as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland, but rather glaringly excludes Ireland and Cyprus.
UK Transport Minister Keir Mather stressed the need to keep disruption to a minimum for passengers and freight operators. He stated, “Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings.” This new move is part of wider efforts to speed up travel after Brexit whilst keeping within the rules.
In line with the new EES directives, visitors will have to stick to a 90-day limit on their stays. This cap is cumulative over any 180-day window. With this regulation, there’s a major shift. Moving forward, any local that violates the 90-day rule will be flagged by the system as soon as it happens. In the first month of implementation, only coaches will be checked at the Eurotunnel and Dover. The new Euronorm checks will cover the compliance of Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Eurostar passengers will go through a phased process, with only a small minority needed to register until January.
So each check is projected to take no more than two minutes per passenger. Get ready for longer waits on arrival in the Schengen area as the system fully operationalizes. To allay misunderstandings and concerns, the Government of Canada has since launched a new information campaign aimed at educating travellers about these new requirements.
Here’s how authorities have already gone above and beyond to prepare for potential disruption. They have negotiated for two Kent overflow sites to alleviate gridlock in the county during any motorway tailbacks. This smart, proactive move will reduce current and future congestion and improve the flow of traffic through border crossings.
This gradual implementation of the EES will provide considerable assistance to both border authorities and the transport industry. They have time to make incremental adjustments to new processes. It would require nearly six months for each traveler to complete the new screenings. Until the EES is fully operational, though, passport stamping will still go on.
“It should eventually make travel easier. But those breaching the 90-day rule will be automatically detected.” – Abta spokesperson
As this new system continues to develop, it is illustrative of the UK’s broader post-Brexit attempts to recalibrate its border control. The European Commission noted that this approach allows everyone involved to “start benefiting from the new system, while ensuring that border authorities, the transport industry and travellers can adjust to the new procedures.”