Europe's Entry/Exit System is no longer a distant policy change but a live operational shift at the border. Travellers should expect an uneven rollout, biometric checks in more locations, and longer queues unless they prepare for a slower process.
The European Union is reshaping how non-EU visitors enter the bloc. New digital systems will combine biometric border checks, electronic travel approval and a fee structure that changes the travel process significantly.
The EU’s long-planned Entry/Exit System is meant to modernize border control, but travel industry groups say uncertainty, weak public awareness and operational risks could still delay the rollout and disrupt tourism.
A new EU border regime is set to change how non-EU travellers enter France. For Britons with family, property or frequent stays across the Channel, the impact could extend far beyond a few extra minutes at passport control.
The EU is preparing to roll out its new Entry/Exit System for non-EU visitors. Here is what the biometric border process means for travellers, where delays may appear and why privacy advocates are watching closely.