Any solid info on EES yet?

[Chiara’s slave]

The implementation plan involves stamping passports by hand if queues get bad, so I would guess they’ll just carry on doing that until an alternative shows up.

 

[MontyMariner]

Not a lot of help here: EES / ETIAS - European Union

"The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026."
For more information – see What does progressive start of the EES mean?

"The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be deployed gradually across the external borders of the 29 European countries over a period of 6 months. These European countries will introduce the different elements of the EES in phases, including the collection of biometric data, such as facial image and fingerprints. This means that travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected at every border crossing point right away, and their personal information may not be registered in the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as usual".

"This progressive implementation will last until 9 April 2026. From 10 April 2026, the EES will be fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system."

 

[Chiara’s slave]

And maybe a few different details here Upcoming changes for travel to Europe
Not that helpful for channel sailors sadly. I have found that Valencia is Spain’s pilot scheme port. So we ‘probably’ don’t need to worry in Malaga in October. But then, nobody expects the Spanish inquisition.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I can certainly imagine the current system for pleasure craft being retained for at least a couple of years whilst the system beds down and all the important traffic is sorted. Then and only then is it likely that ports of entry may be reduced to the larger ports or smaller / cheaper scanners are installed in the 2nd tier marinas. Or it could simply stay the same after all do a few thousand yachts merit the expense and complexity. What is going to happen the other way around for French yachtsmen? nothing one suspects after they have paid their £10.

 

[syvictoria]

These first checks are on British territory, not the French end. Nothing in France yet. I presume they’d rather it went wrong where they can blame someone else.

Dover and St Pancras have “juxtaposed” border controls.

 

[lustyd]

I can certainly imagine the current system for pleasure craft being retained for at least a couple of years whilst the system beds down and all the important traffic is sorted. Then and only then is it likely that ports of entry may be reduced to the larger ports or smaller / cheaper scanners are installed in the 2nd tier marinas. Or it could simply stay the same after all do a few thousand yachts merit the expense and complexity. What is going to happen the other way around for French yachtsmen? nothing one suspects after they have paid their £10.

They’ve stated 6 months to full rollout so we must assume that you’re wrong and plan/learn accordingly.
Your thoughts are likely correct, but we still should expect guidance given the official position.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

They’ve stated 6 months to full rollout so we must assume that you’re wrong and plan/learn accordingly.
Your thoughts are likely correct, but we still should expect guidance given the official position.

I think full roll out probably refers to commercial goods and passenger transport hubs, ports and aircraft terminals and not pleasure ports. Eventually I think marinas will be equipped with finger print and passport scanners which will require users to have previously gone through full biometric scanning at a major terminus.

 

[st599]

I think full roll out probably refers to commercial goods and passenger transport hubs, ports and aircraft terminals and not pleasure ports. Eventually I think marinas will be equipped with finger print and passport scanners which will require users to have previously gone through full biometric scanning at a major terminus.

I don't think that's what the EU means at all. The backend database and systems are becoming the automated measure of overstays. Not sure other EU countries will be very happy if France tries to bodge a workaround on to it.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I don't think that's what the EU means at all. The backend database and systems are becoming the automated measure of overstays. Not sure other EU countries will be very happy if France tries to bodge a workaround on to it.

If you are correct then you can look forward to a reduced number of ports of entry being limited to major ports possibly even only ones with a commercial passenger presence.

 

[st599]

If you are correct then you can look forward to a reduced number of ports of entry being limited to major ports possibly even only ones with a commercial passenger presence.

Yep - and I hope that they can find a workaround with smaller scanners.

Equally problematic is that the UK were also planning on an EES-alike - that's gone quiet, but may resurface.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

Yep - and I hope that they can find a workaround with smaller scanners.

Equally problematic is that the UK were also planning on an EES-alike - that's gone quiet, but may resurface.

On a short trip to the UK a couple of weeks ago my wife had to apply for a visa which required on line photograph and passport scan. She was then able to use the existing biometrics scanners at Manchester airport.

 

[st599]

On a short trip to the UK a couple of weeks ago my wife had to apply for a visa which required on line photograph and passport scan. She was then able to use the existing biometrics scanners at Manchester airport.

I think the online form for sailing to and from the UK is now starting to use the GDS app for login that aims to do similar.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I think full roll out probably refers to commercial goods and passenger transport hubs, ports and aircraft terminals and not pleasure ports. Eventually I think marinas will be equipped with finger print and passport scanners which will require users to have previously gone through full biometric scanning at a major terminus.

Probably just the scanners only with an expectation that validation has already happened elsewhere. If not then off to the centre with the capability to validate.

I read at the start of the year, on World of Cruising (liner type cruising, not yachts) that once the validation has been complete, first entry via EES, and holding an ETIAS, then for trips that originate in the UK and end back in the UK after being in the EU, there will be no need to use the EES. The article states that it is for day trips only.

I wonder if there is an option for a yacht, UK registered, all UK citizens, all holding ETIAS, who have been in the EU and validated their ETIAS, if there is a possibility of sailing from the UK, to the EU, spend a fortnight day sailing, then return back to the UK and no EES been visited. Pretty sure that will not be possible as 90/180 still has to be counted.

What the EU’s EES and ETIAS schemes mean for UK cruisers

How will EES and ETIAS affect UK cruisers?

ETIAS is the straightforward part of this equation: if you hold a British passport and are planning a cruise to the EU, you will need a valid travel authorisation.

The rules for EES are slightly different. If you embark on a cruise departing or arriving at an EU port, like Barcelona, you must go through EES processing to register or verify your data.

However, if your cruise starts and ends outside of the EU and only has port calls in the EU, like a round-trip cruise from Southampton, you should not need to go through EES processing, as day trips are exempt.

When EES and ETIAS finally launch, we expect teething issues. First, as with ESTA, airlines and cruise lines will check travellers have a valid ETIAS authorisation, which will take time. On arrival at the destination, most travellers will be EES first-timers and register their data, which is slower than verifying it.

If you travel to the EU after the launch of EES and ETIAS, ensure to get to your port or airport early in case these new systems cause delays.

In time, things will improve as travellers, travel companies, ports, airports, and border control officers get more familiar with EES and ETIAS.

 

[lustyd]

I'm pretty sure that will be because you're on a cruise ship, which will operate similarly to commercial ships. You'll be registered to the ship and won't be staying in the EU. I don't think that will apply in any way to yachts, unless you're doing the dodgy Uma style shenanigans to avoid visas.