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 promise of more eGate access for British travellers sounded dramatic, but the practical picture was narrower. Faster processing at some airports was possible, yet the legal status of UK travellers at the EU border and the underlying entry rules were not being rewritten.
The EU's long-delayed border overhaul is moving again, but with a major concession. To avoid severe queues, some travellers at busy checkpoints may initially be waved through without full biometric registration.