New border controls to enter the EU from November

These are automated computer systems for recording and controlling the personal data of nationals of non-EU countries who cross the external borders of the Schengen area. This change in access to the countries that confirm it means that passports will no longer be stamped and digital controls will be carried out instead, which will affect all non-EU tourists, especially the British market, which is the leading source of tourism to Spain.

How does it work?

The EES was established by Regulation (EU) 2017/2226. It is a common electronic system that records and stores the date, time and place of entry and exit of non-EU visitors arriving in any EU country. The system replaces the obligation to stamp the passports of third-country nationals, which applies in all Member States.

Once the new system is active, when a non-EU traveller passes through passport control upon arrival and departure from their destination, in addition to providing their document, they will also need to have a photograph of their face taken and their fingerprints scanned.

The European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) after Brexit will be launched on 10 November, according to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.

“The time has finally come. There may have been times when I thought it would never happen,” Johansson said during a visit to eu-LISA, the EU agency in charge of the IT infrastructure of the SES based in Tallinn.

“Transporters, operators, train stations, airports, everyone is preparing for the big day,” said Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Who is it for?

It is aimed at nationals of non-EU countries, subject to the short-stay visa and ETIAS obligation, who make a short-term stay (up to 90 days during a period of 180 days) in the territory of a Member State of the Schengen area.

What personal data will be recorded?

• Date and time of entry and exit

• Place of entry and exit

• Surname(s) and name(s) of the national

• National passport number

• National Photograph

• Fingerprint of the national

• It will also record any refusal of entry for a short-term stay.

Will SES cause travel delays?

There are fears in the UK and elsewhere that the SES could increase delays at border controls. In a report to the European Council published by the non-profit organisation Statewatch, several countries expressed concern about delays in the implementation of the SES. Last year they said that the time they would have to test the system before it was put into operation was rapidly decreasing.

French authorities will manage the SES border controls at the British port of Dover, Eurostar and Eurotunnel. They are currently working with the British government to minimise the impact of the system on border flows and traffic, but are concerned about possible waiting times.

Government bodies and tourism industry representatives have said the SES is likely to cause long queues on ferry traffic from Dover to Calais.

Is ETIAS still going ahead?

The ETIAS is a travel authorisation, not a visa, established by the European Commission. It will be required by the 30 Member States of the enlarged Schengen area. It is scheduled to come into operation in 2025. It is a completely electronic system, similar to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) in the United States, which aims to strengthen controls on foreign travellers in the European Union, with the aim of detecting potential threats.

Who is it for?

The ETIAS will be aimed at nationals of around sixty non-EU countries who benefit from an exemption from the short-stay visa requirement to travel to the enlarged Schengen area.

This travel authorisation will have a maximum duration of 90 days. Nationals of third countries affected must apply for it before travelling to European territory: the authorisation will be valid for three years, for multiple entries, or until the expiry date of the validity of the travel document used to make the application.

The application must be made online by filling out a simple form. The travel authorisation will be issued, in principle, within a maximum period of 96 hours from the date of application and payment of a 7 euro fee. If further investigation is required, this processing period may be extended.

Please note that third-country nationals under the age of 18 and over the age of 70, family members of European nationals and third-country nationals who have the right to move freely within the European Union will not be required to pay the tax.

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