Your next MICE trip to Europe: smile to enter

iStock-2215075767 (2) — In the long run, EES will set the groundwork for the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to ensure stricter border control. Photo Credit: iStock/Boarding1Now

After multiple delays, the EU’s Entest-Exit System (EES) has officially launched on 12 October, kicking off a new era of biometric border travels for all non-EU travellers.

In this introduction phase of six months, visitors – including those from visa-free countries – are required to register their fingerprints and facial images when they first arrive at Europe’s passport-free zones.

A positive note for frequent MICE travellers: subsequent visits after the first registration will only required facial recognition, passing visitors through in under two minutes.

Eventually, non-EU travellers will not required to go through the manual passport stamping system across 29 countries – except Ireland and Cyrpus, who have opted out of the system. Note that visa requirements will still be in place.

The EES is non payable, and will be fully operational by 10 April, 2026 at all international airports, major land borders and seaports.

At the moment, Prague is the largest international hub to fully integrate the EES – although there has been reports of snaking queues of “up to 90 minutes”.

The European Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems have noted that while all 29 participating countries are technically on standby, each will implement the EES differently.

Next on border control: ETIAS

Authorities aim to apply the EES to automatically track the 90-day limit for visa-free trips within any 180-day period.

In the long run, EES will set the groundwork for the launch of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), pegged for late 2026.

ETIAS will require all travellers from visa-free countries to fill up a pre-travel authorisation form, which includes a €20 (US$23) fee. All approved ETIAS applications will be valid for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires, whichever comes first.

Toobtainher, the EES and ETIAS will work to ensure stricter border control, ensure smoother trips and reduce overstays.

Source: Travel Weekly Asia

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