British holidaymakers heading to Schengen Area destinations can breathe easy for a few more weeks as the European Union has once again postponed the launch of its new biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens (EES). The system, which was set to be introduced on November 10, has been delayed as Germany, France and the Netherlands have announced their border computer systems are not yet prepared.
These countries account for 40 percent of the passenger traffic affected by this change. “November 10 is no longer on the table,” EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson told reporters.
She didn’t provide a new schedule but mentioned that a phased introduction is being considered. The EES aims to establish a digital record linking a travel document to biometric readings verifying an individual’s identity, eliminating the need for manual passport stamping at the EU’s external border.
It would require non-EU citizens entering the Schengen free-travel area to register their fingerprints and a facial scan while answering questions about their stay. Germany, France and the Netherlands stated they were not ready to implement because the “necessary stability and functionality of the EES central system to be provided by the EU agency EU-Lisa is not yet in place”.
EU-Lisa is the agency tasked with implementing large-scale IT systems within the EU, reports the Express. The French interior ministry has stated that while they believe in the effectiveness of the EES, its implementation needs to be well-planned. The UK Government and holiday companies have issued stern warnings about potential airport chaos and lengthy delays due to the new system.
In September, it was disclosed that over one in five Brits – 22 percent – would be deterred from European holidays because of the new EU border systems. Almost half of those surveyed were uncomfortable with the idea of their biometric data being stored for three years, while 38 percent were worried about long delays.
The EES was originally scheduled to launch on October 6 but was postponed until November 10 following pressure from French officials. As of Friday, October 11, no new date has been announced.