Holidaymakers can download an official travel app that could make new EU travel rules less of a headache. As previously reported, this year sees some key travel travel changes taking place which affect British tourists and one is the new EES system in force this week.
Europe’s new Entry-Exit System, requiring arriving non-EU visitors to give biometric information such as facial images and fingerprints, applies in the likes of France, Spain, Portugal and Greece. There have been concerns it would lead to delays as airports process the requirements and get to grips with the new technology.
And some tourist have already reported longer queues as personal data from their passport is collected at the EU border. The system records entry and exit dates to ensure overstays can be easily flagged and EES is set to eventually replace passport stamps, reports The Mirror.
There have been delays on departing EU countries too. Brits have been queuing with other non-EU nationalities to be processed through the new system, while EU passport-holders have their own lanes.
But an official app, which many people may be unaware of, could have the potential to speed up the process. The drawback is that it currently applies to just some locations.
The EU’s Travel to Europe app is available on Apple’s App Store or Google Play and claims it can “speed up your border check”. At the moment, the app is available for use at selected border crossing points, including Sweden and Portugal, although its developers claim more will be added soon, adds the report.
Holidaymakers wanting to use it can download the app then register. It can keep travel details in one place and that includes those of family members flying together who can be added to it.
Users simply need to add details of their journey, such as the date and time of arrival and departure, and scan their passport using their phone. They can take a selfie and answer some questions – and all this can be done up to 72-hours before their flight.
The app will generate a QR code for each passenger which can be scanned at a self-service kiosk or by passport control staff. Travellers just need to follow signs or the directions from airport staff to the pre-registration queue.
While there is no guarantee of course that staff will not carry out additional checks, the app could mean a speedier process in all.
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