The United Kingdom (UK) government recently updated its Living in France official guidance page.
This update comes as the European Union (EU) prepares to launch its new border control checks, the Entry/Exit System (EES), in autumn.
The new automated border control system aims to strengthen security and improve border management.
The EES system requires travelers from non-EU countries, including UK citizens, to register their biometric data.
Instead of manually stamping passports, the EES will record travelers’ entry and exit from the EU through biometric scans.
According to Connexion, the Living in France official UK government page was updated on 10 July.
One important detail in the updated guidance is that UK nationals with EU residence permits will be exempt from the new EES checks.
It also confirms that children can be exempt from the EES checks if they have a Document de Circulation pour Etranger Mineur (DCEM) or Travel Document for Foreign Minors.
Updated guidance includes EES information
The UK government’s updated travel guidance to France includes essential details about the new EU border control checks.
The EES will require non-EU travelers to submit biometric data, such as fingerprint and facial scans.
Instead of stamping passports, border officers will use fingerprint scanners and facial recognition cameras.
Non-EU travelers visiting the Schengen Area for the first time after the EES launch must register their biometric data at the border and in front of an EU border officer.
On subsequent visits, they must submit to fingerprint or facial scans each time they enter or leave the Schengen Area.
If they visit again after three years or when their data has expired in the system, they must register it again in front of an EU border officer.
The EES system aims to enhance security and track the movement of non-EU nationals more effectively.
EU residence permits qualify for EES exemption
The updated guidance confirmed that UK nationals with EU residence permits are exempt from the new border control checks.
It means they do not have to submit biometric data if they have the documents to prove their EU residency.
This exemption helps UK nationals with residence permits have an easier time traveling.
For instance, if a UK citizen lives in France with a Carte de Séjour, they only need to show this card when crossing the border.
The guidance states: “In France, documents that allow exemption include all forms of Withdrawal Agreement residency permits.”
This includes temporary, five-year, ten-year, and permanent residency permits.
Children must also have a DCEM to be exempt from EES checks.
DCEMs are free for beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement and will apply regardless if minors are traveling alone or with a companion.
In the same way, UK nationals living in Spain with a TIE card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) are also exempt from EES checks.
The TIE card helps them prove their right to live and work in Spain, making travel less stressful.
Any other valid residency permit issued by any other EU Member State will also qualify for an exemption from the EES.
Expected delays caused by new border control checks
While the EES is designed to improve border security and efficiency, it is expected to cause delays at EU border crossings.
This will be particularly noticeable at the beginning of operations due to the additional time required for first-time ESS biometric registration.
However, travel agents have been told to anticipate longer processing times at the border to persist for at least a year.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), many EU airports are still preparing for the new system.
On the UK side, officials are preparing to manage EES delays, especially at borders with juxtaposed controls.
These include the Port of Dover, Getlink‘s Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone, and Eurostar‘s stop at St. Pancras station in London.
If these ongoing EES preparations are not completed on time, travelers’ waiting times could be even longer.
Managing these delays could be more challenging during busy travel times, such as summer and major holidays.
Travel experts advise travelers to plan their trips accordingly and arrive at the airports and border crossings earlier than usual.
They should also ensure they have all the required documents, such as passwords or EU residence cards.
Being prepared and updated with travel news can help reduce some inconvenience when traveling to the EU.
Calls to delay new border control checks
The UK government’s updated France guidance page confirms that the EU’s new border check system will start later this year.
French ministers and UK Parliament committees had urged the EU to reconsider the EES launch.
Many airports and border crossings are still preparing to accommodate the EES border check system.
The EES mobile app aims to shorten the long queues at the border, allowing travelers to register information beforehand.
Some question how much help it can provide since it will not take fingerprint scans or photos for facial recognition.
Officials have also confirmed that the EES app will not be ready when the new border control checks roll out.
Many are also concerned that the tight deadline may result in the system launching without proper testing.
The UK government hopes to test and adjust its EES preparations during a six-month soft-launch period.