The new EES system for entry into France/Spain etc

[GMJ]

It's been in a little while now. Does anyone have any experience of it? Any notable delays for departures?

ta

 

[El radge]

It's been in a little while now. Does anyone have any experience of it? Any notable delays for departures?

ta

When did it start ? Few regulars on here just set off but no mention of it

 

[marchie]

It's been in a little while now. Does anyone have any experience of it? Any notable delays for departures?

ta

No real change noticed, Graham, at Portsmouth Ferry Port. Elaine went through on her Irish Passport, and mine was stamped as usual when we arrived at Santander. No fingerprinting or other formalities.

Steve

 

[Trotter]

It's been in a little while now. Does anyone have any experience of it? Any notable delays for departures?

ta

Great question. Is it happening, or just another idea the French can’t seem to be bothered with.
Tbh, I love their att.

 

[marchie]

Great question. Is it happening, or just another idea the French can’t seem to be bothered with.
Tbh, I love their att.

Nothing so exclusive, Del. The Spanish at Santander just stamped Passport as normal, and no request made for fingerprint registration. EU agreed that each country could set its own timetable, and, IIRC, when to introduce the EES at different Ports/Airports, so we just need to be prepared for the formal operational start.

Brittany Ferries have added a pre-sailing book-in for passengers and vehicles, so they must be expecting delays (in addition to their own tardiness) as the EES starts in earnest and the holiday season proper starts

Steve

 

[TJBi]

<snip>

Brittany Ferries have added a pre-sailing book-in for passengers and vehicles, so they must be expecting delays (in addition to their own tardiness) as the EES starts in earnest and the holiday season proper starts

Steve

IIRC, BF were doing that in spring 2025 (if not earlier) and I believe that it is intended purely to enable passengers to check beforehand that they comply with the EU's passport validity requirements, etc. No obvious impact if one does not complete the pre-check-in checks. API, however, is probably another matter.
Perhaps I've been fortunate, but I've never experienced tardiness on the part of BF, though I have on a couple of occasions experienced issues with cancelled sailings (notified well in advance), the first due to schedule/availability changes to enable increased freight volumes (that weren't in fact required) in the aftermath of Br*x*t, and the second due to a ferry being in dry dock over winter for longer than planned.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

April next year it starts I think, just in time to catch us

 

[marchie]

April next year it starts I think, just in time to catch us

Official start date was 'from 12th October 2025', Kev, but the full implementation date is set for 'by 10th April 2026', or any date between , depending on whether you're flying or sailing and the departure/arrival (air)ports.

Then there's the ETIAS introduction and the Old Gits' Fee exemptions, and the European Environmental tax levies that have been added to ferry fares. And so it goes on and on and on ...

Steve

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Official start date was 'from 12th October 2025', Kev, but the full implementation date is set for 'by 10th April 2026', or any date between , depending on whether you're flying or sailing and the departure/arrival (air)ports.

Then there's the ETIAS introduction and the Old Gits' Fee exemptions, and the European Environmental tax levies that have been added to ferry fares. And so it goes on and on and on ...

Steve

Ta Steve, I knew I had read April somewhere..

 

[Undertaker]

Flew to Gran Canaria last Saturday. Plane wasn't full so hoping that it would be a quick run through the EES biometric system. Plenty of booths all green for go on arrival. However all taped off so get in line for the one guy doing manual stamping. I know the system isn't fully operational and we would still currently have to be stamped but it just seemed like a wasted opportunity to get 150 or so Brits onto the database. Am I being paranoid or are they waiting to give us the most hassle possible at peak holiday periods?

 

[marchie]

Flew to Gran Canaria last Saturday. Plane wasn't full so hoping that it would be a quick run through the EES biometric system. Plenty of booths all green for go on arrival. However all taped off so get in line for the one guy doing manual stamping. I know the system isn't fully operational and we would still currently have to be stamped but it just seemed like a wasted opportunity to get 150 or so Brits onto the database. Am I being paranoid or are they waiting to give us the most hassle possible at peak holiday periods?

Paranoid; each EU country and transport type within any particular country can choose the start date, and it sounds as though the Canaries were not ready to start EES

Steve

 

[El radge]

Flew to Gran Canaria last Saturday. Plane wasn't full so hoping that it would be a quick run through the EES biometric system. Plenty of booths all green for go on arrival. However all taped off so get in line for the one guy doing manual stamping. I know the system isn't fully operational and we would still currently have to be stamped but it just seemed like a wasted opportunity to get 150 or so Brits onto the database. Am I being paranoid or are they waiting to give us the most hassle possible at peak holiday periods?

Why the fook would they do that ?

 

[GMJ]

IIRC, BF were doing that in spring 2025 (if not earlier) and I believe that it is intended purely to enable passengers to check beforehand that they comply with the EU's passport validity requirements, etc. No obvious impact if one does not complete the pre-check-in checks. API, however, is probably another matter.
Perhaps I've been fortunate, but I've never experienced tardiness on the part of BF, though I have on a couple of occasions experienced issues with cancelled sailings (notified well in advance), the first due to schedule/availability changes to enable increased freight volumes (that weren't in fact required) in the aftermath of Br*x*t, and the second due to a ferry being in dry dock over winter for longer than planned.

This was a useful link you posted on the thread on WC...

European Entry/Exit System (EES) pre-registration devices: how to use them?

A pre-registration device of the kiosk or tablet type is present at certain border crossing points. Their use is optional.

www.service-public.gouv.fr