The Schengen area Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals will go live on 10 November, the European Commission has confirmed.
EES is an automated registration system for UK and other non-EU travellers who don’t require a visa to enter the EU, this includes UK lorry drivers.
It will apply when entering all EU member states, apart from Cyprus and Ireland, as well as four non-EU countries in the Schengen Area: Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Initially due a 2022 launch, it has faced multiple setbacks from IT issues to the slow roll out of the infrastructure needed to monitor land, maritime and air borders in the Schengen Area.
The commissioner for home affairs Ylva Johansson said: “Everything is coming together. We’re in the final testing phase. There is a real momentum now. Carriers, operators, train stations, airports, everyone is getting ready for the big day.”
All travellers will need to scan their passports or other travel document at a self-service kiosk each time they cross an EU external border. It will not apply to legal EU citizens or residents or those with long-stay visas.
