00:00The entry-exit system is expected to be fully deployed by April 10, 2026, when all external border points will move to electronic records and manual passport stamps will be discontinued.
00:16Travellers can find detailed guidance on the new procedures at the official Travel Europe website.
00:22The European Commission says strengthening the EU's common borders is a key priority and that the entry-exit system will make border control not only more secure, but also more efficient and convenient for people moving in and out of the EU.
00:37So in the six months from October the 12th, the whole of the EU Schengen zone is going to be implementing the new EES system.
00:45And that means that each airport that implements it, as they bring it in, you're going to have to go through the biometric scanners, you're going to have to do different things with your passport.
00:53But also, rather irritating, you're also going to still have to go through the old process where they manually check and stamp your passport because the whole thing won't be quite finished yet.
01:01Probably what's going to happen because of that is people are going to try and avoid all of that and go to different places.
01:06And the good news is there's loads of places within two, three hours of the UK where you can fly to avoid the entire palaver.
01:13The new system is not a substitute for passport control.
01:17Travellers will still be checked by border officials at ports and airports.
01:22However, instead of receiving a passport stamp, their personal data, along with entry and exit dates, will be logged digitally using facial recognition and fingerprint scans.
01:33According to the EU, the goal is to make border crossings quicker and more efficient, while also improving security.
01:41On their first trip after the EES takes effect, travellers will use a self-serve kiosk at the border to register.
01:48They'll enter their name and passport information and have their fingerprints and a facial photo taken.
01:54The system will also record the time and place of their entry and exit.
01:59Children under the age of 12 will not be fingerprinted.
02:01I think by Christmas, people will be travelling to Europe and for the Christmas city breaks in the markets, exactly as they always do.
02:08My advice definitely wouldn't be, you know, put off any holidays or cancel any holidays.
02:12If you're going to fly, either work out where there's been any sort of problems or just fly to one of the many, many places where there isn't.
02:18Most places will implement this without a hitch.
02:21It will go through. You'll be able to sail through the airport as normal after you've done your biometric scan at the EU end.
02:27Shouldn't really be a problem for most travellers.
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