Survey finds 15% of British travellers less likely to visit EU Countries with introduction of EES

A UK government survey shows that one in seven British Citizens would reconsider travelling to EU countries, including The Canary Islands and Spain, with the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES) later this year.

Set to launch on October 6th, the EES will replace the current manual passport stamping operation with an electronic, automated solution that takes photos, fingerprints and passport information. This would be a requirement for all non EU travellers entering the bloc, and following Brexit applies to everyone travelling on a UK passport.

A survey of 1584 UK residents, conducted by the department for transport, showed that 15% of respondents would consider amending their travel plans to the EU once the system was introduced citing long queues and potential delays as the primary reason.

The European Scrutiny Committee has called on the British Government to fund an awareness campaign to educate travellers. If you are unsure of the EES process it is recommended that you book your trip through a travel agency, who will be able to guide you through the changes.

What is EES and why is it being implemented?

Scheduled to be introduced on the 6th October, the Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT platform designed to register travellers from third (Non EU) countries—both those with short-stay visas and those exempt from visas—every time they cross an EU external border. The system will record the traveller's name, type of travel document, biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial images), as well as the date and place of entry and exit, all in compliance with fundamental rights and data protection standards.

EES will also log refusals of entry. This system will replace the current manual passport stamping process, which is time-consuming, unreliable for tracking border crossings, and ineffective in systematically identifying over-stayers (travellers who stay beyond their authorised duration).

EES aims to prevent irregular migration and enhance the security of European citizens. Additionally, it will facilitate easier travel for bona fide third-country nationals and improve the detection of over-stayers and cases of document and identity fraud. The system will also support the broader use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, offering a quicker and more convenient experience for travellers.

What do you think? Would the introduction of EES stop you from travelling?

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