France’s Normandy ports gear up for the implementation of the European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) on November 10th, 2024.
The new border control measure will impact non-EU travelers entering the Schengen Area.
Normandy Ports Director anticipates longer queues
Jérôme Chauvet, director of Ports de Normandie, warns travelers to expect extended wait times when the EES debuts.
The system will replace manual passport stamping with digital checks at Schengen Area's external borders.
“We are concerned about the time these procedures will take,” Chauvet said. “If passengers need to respond to additional questions, it will lengthen their border crossing time.”
The EES will require non-EU visitors to provide passport details, facial images, and fingerprints upon entry.
This data will be stored in an EU database for three years, allowing easier subsequent border crossings during that period.
Tablets will register car passengers in queue
Chauvet revealed that Normandy ports, including Cherbourg, Caen-Ouistreham, and Dieppe, will primarily use tablets for traveler registration. Staff members will distribute these devices to people waiting in their cars.
“A member of staff with a tablet will approach and give it to them. They will not be allowed to get out of the car,” Chauvet explained.
For coach passengers, the process will vary by port.
At Caen-Ouistreham, a designated area will allow passengers to disembark and use kiosks. In Dieppe, travelers will access kiosks at the ferry terminal.
(Image courtesy of Hans via Pixabay)
Lack of testing raises concerns
Despite the imminent launch, Normandy ports have not conducted any system tests. Chauvet attributed this to the French government’s focus on the Olympics and Paralympics.
“We have not had any tests at all,” Chauvet stated. “We do not yet know the equipment well and how it is going to work. We are going to discover it all properly as it gets underway.”
This lack of preparation contrasts with the Brexit transition, during which ports conducted multiple dry runs to identify and address potential issues.
Long-stay visa holders exempt from EES registration
Non-EU citizens with long-stay visas will not need to register in the Entry/Exit System. However, Chauvet noted that the queue assignment for this group remains undecided.
“EES won’t be applied to people with long-stay visas. In principle, they will not need to undergo the pre-registration procedures,” Chauvet clarified.
He added that these travelers might still face longer waits, as they may be directed to the non-EU queue.
(Image courtesy of HelloDavidPradoPerucha via Freepik)
Ports Face Additional Costs and Staffing Challenges
The EES implementation brings new expenses for Normandy ports. Chauvet mentioned the need for canopies to protect staff and ensure proper conditions for biometric data collection.
Additionally, ports must invest in signage to direct EU and non-EU travelers.
Recruitment of multilingual staff to assist with tablet distribution poses another challenge.
Chauvet estimated the costs at “several hundreds of thousand euros per year, per port.” He suggested that ferry companies might need to absorb these expenses, potentially leading to higher ticket prices.
EU entry delays loom
The EES will significantly affect short-term visitors to the Schengen Area. Tourists and business travelers will face longer entry processes but may benefit from smoother subsequent trips due to the three-year data storage.
Long-term visitors and migrants with valid visas or residency permits will be exempt from EES registration. However, they may still experience longer wait times due to overall increased processing at borders.
The EES launch precedes the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), set to begin in 2025.
ETIAS will require pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers, adding another layer to EU border control.
These systems aim to enhance security and reduce irregular migration. However, they may deter some tourists due to increased complexity and potential delays in travel plans.
(Image courtesy of Surasak_K via iStock)
Enhancing border control, tracking overstays
The EES represents a significant shift in EU immigration policy, moving towards more stringent, technology-driven border management.
This system will allow more accurate tracking of non-EU nationals’ movements within the Schengen Area.
By automating entry and exit records, EU countries can more effectively identify and address visa overstays. This capability may lead to stricter enforcement of immigration rules and potentially influence future visa policies.
The EES also demonstrates the EU’s commitment to modernizing its borders while balancing security concerns with the need to facilitate legitimate travel.
As member states adapt to this new system, they may refine their individual immigration strategies to align with the enhanced data collection and analysis capabilities.
Normandy ports prepare for November launch
As the November 10th implementation date approaches, Normandy ports continue their preparations despite lingering uncertainties. The success of the EES rollout at these key entry points will likely influence its adoption and refinement across other EU borders.
Travelers planning to enter the EU through Normandy ports should anticipate longer processing times and prepare for the new registration requirements.
While the system aims to enhance security and streamline future travel, its initial implementation may present challenges for both border authorities and visitors.