European Entry/Exit System (EES)
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One does wonder what is going on with EEA. Dover didn't bring the system in yesterday, according to the port authority because France didn't tell them to. Is it because the software doesn't work or because across the EU some large countries still don't have internal systems in place.
Something has gone or is going badly wrong I think.
Something has gone or is going badly wrong I think.
Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Ferrara
Sounds like there's no big switch -on. They're processing people in to the system when it suits them and leaving the rest until the next time (and it's someone else's problem then of course)........ which i practical but means it may take years before it's really covering most travellers
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Central UK
Having recorded my fingerprints and passport scan outbound at Stansted last month my return from Sicily didn't test the system as their machines weren't working yet. This weekend just gone I was outbound for Spain. Leaving Stansted all worked fine but on arrival at Malaga the machine refused to read my passport and directed me to register for the new system (which I'd done a fortnight before) but of course there were no machines to register anywhere in sight. (There were a few nearby but all inop). Checked through manually - lots of other people having same problem. On departure tried again, scan not recognised and directed to register. This time there wwere machines nearby to do this so both of us repeated the registration process. Having done so returned to the e-gate where --- guess what --- document not recognised, go and register!!
And this on top of a spurious e-mail from Ryanair saying "Due to system upgrades at Malaga Airport, extended queues at passport control are expected. We advise customers due to depart from Malaga Airport to please arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of your scheduled departure time and to proceed after bag drop to security and passport control. We advise you to not spend time in the retail areas to avoid missing your flight."
Well, 3 hrs before departure our flight wasn't even on the screens. In any case info about which departure section (A,B,C or D) isn't shown until boarding gate is shown about eta- 1hr. So how the digamma can you go thru passport control if you can't even tell which section to enter?
Plus, (having figured that there was only one section that handled non-Schengen European departures) we found there were only two or three flights leaving from there that afternoon and not a soul to be seen waiting at (manual) passport control - so where the fcuk is this 3 hr delay coming from then?
What a ridiculous mess.
And this on top of a spurious e-mail from Ryanair saying "Due to system upgrades at Malaga Airport, extended queues at passport control are expected. We advise customers due to depart from Malaga Airport to please arrive at the airport at least 3 hours ahead of your scheduled departure time and to proceed after bag drop to security and passport control. We advise you to not spend time in the retail areas to avoid missing your flight."
Well, 3 hrs before departure our flight wasn't even on the screens. In any case info about which departure section (A,B,C or D) isn't shown until boarding gate is shown about eta- 1hr. So how the digamma can you go thru passport control if you can't even tell which section to enter?
Plus, (having figured that there was only one section that handled non-Schengen European departures) we found there were only two or three flights leaving from there that afternoon and not a soul to be seen waiting at (manual) passport control - so where the fcuk is this 3 hr delay coming from then?
What a ridiculous mess.
Joined: Mar 2019
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From: Farnborough Hants
In August 2025 I flew into Berlin and the machines were being trialled, I presume.... signs up that all non-EU passport holders had to first use the kiosk machines before queuing for the immigration/passport control desks. Passport was scanned and IIRC you had to also place your fingers on the screens for scanning. This added maybe a minute to the overall queueing process to get into Germany. In November I visited Berlin again and this time, the machines were not in use at all, and it was straight to the queue for the desks.
The weekbefore Christmas, my younger daughter flew to Prague with her best friend and it took tyhem about 3 hours to queue to get though the machines for EES then passport control, so long that the taxi booked to meet them drove off and left them to make their own way into the centre, despite (at the time) it being well documented that there were lengthy queues for immigration at the airport.
Personally, I sadly miss the automatic face recognition thing that was operating at St Pancras for Eurostar in late 2024. I recall that I Just walked up to the special lane, the machine scanned my face and automatically did the UK border side of things, and I wen straight to the bag scanner. There was an app that I downlaoded for this. For whatever reason, shortly afterwards the entire face recognition system was canned and the next time I went it was back to the lengthy queues. Such is progress........
The weekbefore Christmas, my younger daughter flew to Prague with her best friend and it took tyhem about 3 hours to queue to get though the machines for EES then passport control, so long that the taxi booked to meet them drove off and left them to make their own way into the centre, despite (at the time) it being well documented that there were lengthy queues for immigration at the airport.
Personally, I sadly miss the automatic face recognition thing that was operating at St Pancras for Eurostar in late 2024. I recall that I Just walked up to the special lane, the machine scanned my face and automatically did the UK border side of things, and I wen straight to the bag scanner. There was an app that I downlaoded for this. For whatever reason, shortly afterwards the entire face recognition system was canned and the next time I went it was back to the lengthy queues. Such is progress........
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Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Last week we arrived at Naples. The Italians had organised the registration system at a far higher standard their driving ...
In a separate area, there were 12 machines and (I think) four people to assist. Then to the E-gates which worked, then passport stamped. When leaving, e-gates and stamped, all worked very well.
In a separate area, there were 12 machines and (I think) four people to assist. Then to the E-gates which worked, then passport stamped. When leaving, e-gates and stamped, all worked very well.
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: southern spain
Beware of Tenerife South. Two hour wait outside (fortunately warm and sunny) and a 45 minute queue at departures. Total chaos hardly any gates operational. This was the middle of February do hope it improves.
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Scotland
Went through Arrecife last week and had to queue to get registered on arrival (30 mins, not too bad). However, we had already registered in Alicante last month. This didn't cut any ice with the staff, everyone had to try to register again. It scanned my passport and sent me on my way without taking another photo or fingerprints. I think they (rightly) assume that if they give people a choice, and people see a way to skip the queue, everyone will claim to have registered regardless. Maybe a big official "I have registered" sticker on your passport would help.
No issues on departure. Everyone was told to use the machines in the lounge before going to the gate (which we did, quick scan, no photo or fingerprints again). They did start boarding 75 mins before departure, so must have been expecting problems. I did like that the machines are at the gate so you don't need to go through into special non-Schengen "holding pen" like at some airports.
No issues on departure. Everyone was told to use the machines in the lounge before going to the gate (which we did, quick scan, no photo or fingerprints again). They did start boarding 75 mins before departure, so must have been expecting problems. I did like that the machines are at the gate so you don't need to go through into special non-Schengen "holding pen" like at some airports.
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Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
This is reported in Euro News as led by Portugal, following long delays. Also the article states it is an EU process.
With the arrival of the high season and the implementation of the new EES (Entry/Exit System) still causing some delays at borders, the European Union has launched an application that allows you to pre-register your data up to 72 hours before travelling.
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Paxing All Over The World
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Greece goes its own way – and drops EU entry-exit biometrics for British travellers
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From: UK and Italy
Greece has form on only being a member of the EU when it suits them.
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From: se england
I used it Prague in January in terms of registering but it all was over in minutes , mind you the Czechs are at the top of the techie league in Europe these days so no real surprise.
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Back on The Island.
Into Schiphol on 14th April, finger print and photo taken before immigration, downstairs to passport control and through within minutes. Again, 25th April straight down to passport control, having had finger print and eye control previously, through within a couple of minutes. The Dutch know how to organise. BUT... it all depends upon the a/c arrival rate and nationality mix, obviously.
N4790P
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Asia
Into Schiphol on 14th April, finger print and photo taken before immigration, downstairs to passport control and through within minutes. Again, 25th April straight down to passport control, having had finger print and eye control previously, through within a couple of minutes. The Dutch know how to organise. BUT... it all depends upon the a/c arrival rate and nationality mix, obviously.
Joined: Mar 2026
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From: UK East Midlands
Into Schiphol on 14th April, finger print and photo taken before immigration, downstairs to passport control and through within minutes. Again, 25th April straight down to passport control, having had finger print and eye control previously, through within a couple of minutes. The Dutch know how to organise. BUT... it all depends upon the a/c arrival rate and nationality mix, obviously.
Eurotunnel have spent a small fortune on their processing hall (shed) at Folkestone and it looks to be well designed with more than enough terminals but I fear it won't take too many technophobes to screw the whole thing up.
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Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
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From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I agree, which is why I was impressed that NAP had 4 helpers across 12 machines. They were really fast to spot someone having a problem. Possibly the best organised group of Italians I have ever seen!