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The era of manual passport stamping, a cherished tradition for many globetrotters, is about to come to an end when entering the Schengen Area. For decades, passport stamps have served as mementos of journeys, creating a tangible record of the places travellers have ventured. These stamps have been more than just ink on paper; they have been badges of honour, representing the myriad cultures, landscapes, and experiences collected along the way. However, this practice is set to become obsolete with the introduction of the European Union’s new automated Entry/Exit System (EES).
Scheduled to launch on 10 November 2024, the EES is poised to revolutionize how non-EU visitors are registered when crossing EU external borders. The European Commission’s department for Migration and Home Affairs has emphasized that the current system of manual stamping is not only time-consuming but also inefficient in terms of data reliability and the systematic detection of overstayers. The manual process has long been a cumbersome task for border officials and has presented significant challenges in accurately tracking the movement of non-EU visitors across multiple countries within the Schengen Area.
The new EES is an advanced automated IT system designed to register third-country nationals—those from outside the EU—who are either visa-exempt or hold short-stay visas. Each time a traveller crosses an external EU border, the EES will digitally record their name, type of travel document, biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images, and the date and place of entry and exit. In addition, the system will document any refusals of entry. This digital overhaul is expected to significantly enhance security within the EU by providing precise and reliable data on who is entering and leaving the Schengen Area.
The transition from manual to automated border control is expected to bring numerous benefits. The primary goal is to streamline border crossings, reducing the time travellers spend at checkpoints and enhancing overall efficiency. Self-service kiosks and automated border control gates will be integral to this new system, promising quicker processing times. However, despite the expected improvements, there are concerns about potential teething problems as the system is rolled out. The airline industry and various countries have expressed apprehensions about the readiness of the new system, citing possible delays and confusion during its initial implementation phase.
The EES was initially slated for launch in 2022, but its introduction was delayed due to various logistical and technical challenges. After extensive preparation, authorities have now confirmed the official launch date for 10 November 2024. Once operational, the EES will work in tandem with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). Travellers with visa-free access to the Schengen Area will be required to obtain travel authorization online through ETIAS before their trip. This online system will further streamline the process, making travel to the Schengen Area more secure and efficient.
Until the EES is fully operational, passport stamps remain a critical requirement for travellers entering and exiting the Schengen Area, particularly for post-Brexit British citizens. Since leaving the EU, UK nationals have had to ensure that their passports are stamped as proof that they have not overstayed their visa-free limit of 90 days within a 180-day period. This requirement, while simple, has been a crucial measure to prevent illegal overstays, and for some travel enthusiasts, it has even become a small, nostalgic consolation amidst the complexities of post-Brexit travel regulations.
When ETIAS becomes official, travelers from third countries without visas will need to apply for it at a cost of €7. The processing time is expected to take between 30 minutes and 96 hours.
The shift from physical passport stamps to a fully automated digital system marks a significant change in how travel will be documented and managed in the EU. While the EES promises to bring greater efficiency and security, it also signals the end of an era. The once-cherished passport stamps that captured the essence of travel will soon be replaced by digital records, stored securely within an advanced IT system. For many travellers, this transition will be bittersweet, as the digital efficiency of the EES will inevitably replace the tangible memories represented by those simple inked imprints.
As the world continues to advance technologically, the EES represents a step forward in modernizing border controls and enhancing the safety and efficiency of international travel. However, the nostalgia for the old ways—where a stamped passport page was a prized possession—will undoubtedly linger among those who remember the thrill of collecting these badges of honour from around the globe. The EES is not just a new system; it’s a symbol of the evolving nature of travel in a digital age, where the memories of our journeys will increasingly be stored in the cloud rather than on paper.