EES (Entry/Exit System) for most EU countries

Slinky

As far as I understand it, they still want you to answer the questions about where you are staying and do you have enough funds etc, which means that you still have to get to the machines to re-scan your passport and answer the questions.

If there was any sense in the system, they'd split it out so that those who have already had their scans done don't have to stand in the same queues as those who haven't, but I really can't see that level of common sense happening.

daveyjp

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957457#Comment_81957457

Having registered in December and revisited Spain recently there is no clear answer to the procedures being adopted by each and every point of entry. Its a whole new system for everyone and systems take time to be adopted, refined and embedded.

All you can do is be patient, listen to what is being asked and follow instructions. A visitor is doing the process once, the staff are dealing and managing the system for thousands of passengers every day!

Slinky

We recently visited Barcelona, where it took us about 35 minutes to register and get through passport control. The staff were helpful, the machines were being somewhat uncooperative. There was an IT bloke who had to periodically restart different machines when they decided not to work.

Previously we have visited Berlin where it took 2.5 hours to get through Terminal 2 when we arrived behind two other non-Schengen flights where the border staff were scanning faces and manually scanning fingerprints. As Brits we weren't required to register at that time. but were held up by those that had to register. The new machines we saw at Barcelona seem to have speeded that up, but what it will be like in the summer goodness knows, and in 3 years time there will be lots of people having to re-scan again when their current data goes out of date.

One thing I did learn is that you really need to press your passport hard down at the spine side, otherwise it won't scan properly.

mtc95

My experience of flying into Madrid last week, having already registered with EES on a previous visit to Austria.

We were probably a bit unlucky with the timing as I think other non-EU flights had just landed so there was a long snaking queue for non-EU passports with no distinction between those who had already registered and those who hadn't. When we got the the front of the queue we were directed to the registration machines (to be fair, there were lots of them). I wasn't sure if I had to use them again or not so I submitted my passport anyway and it immediately said "go to e-gates" so it must have detected my previous registration.

Then joined a shorter queue for the e-gates and got through. Then had to walk past the manned post, but we were just waved through with no further inspection or stamping of the passport. Whole thing probably took about 40-45 minutes although as I said, it could have been unlucky timing.

On the way home, we got there early, having read about the nightmare in Milan, but it was much quieter. We went through the e-gates with hardly any wait and again, were waved past the manned post with no further inspection.

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969169#Comment_81969169

in Madrid a month ago, I had my passport stamped on entry and exit.

mtc95

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969918#Comment_81969918

I think EES officially replaced passport stamping from 10th April, although it can still happen if they can't collect the biometric data for any reason.

Slinky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969169#Comment_81969169

Did you have to complete the questions about where you were staying and how much money you had for your trip etc again?

Worried_fool

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81971047#Comment_81971047

I entered Spain in December and again in February, and these questions were not asked.

mtc95

No, me neither. After going through the e-gates I had to walk past the manned booth but was just waved on. It may not be the same for everyone of course.

lady1964

We went through Arlanda (Stockholm) airport on Sunday, we had to do the fingerprint and photo. We were asked how long we were staying in Sweden for, when I replied about 6 hours, I was asked why, which was because we’d flown in from Istanbul and we were switching airlines to get home. I had to show proof of our flight leaving Stockholm. Officer was happy for this and sent us through.

So, as we’ve registered finger prints etc in Stockholm, can anyone tell me if, should we fly within Europe later this year, does that mean we’re registered on EES and won’t have to queue up and do that stuff somewhere else?