13/09/2024
WHAT IS ESS:
ESS is the new EU system for recording personal and biometric details for all non-EU travellers entering the EU
It applies from Autumn this year - and is NOT THE SAME as ETIAS, which starts next year.
Before entering the EU you will have to register:
personal data;
fingerprints;
face-photos.
This might be beforehand (when they get round to inventing the app)
or before,
or at EU passport control.
Passengers travelling by ferry or train (Eurostar or Eurotunnel) normally do EU Passport control before boarding, so this has the potential to cause hold-ups at the departure port. Passengers travelling by air will normally queue on arrival overseas.
After the first entry, the data will be stored and linked to your biometric passport and verified at each re-entry.
The EU information pages don’t mention how they will record exit, but the system can only work if they do, so we’ll find out.
WHAT IS ETIAS:
FROM Spring 2025, EU will ALSO introduce ETIAS
The ETIAS is an Electronic Entry APPLICATION System, similar to that successfully used by the USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries.
It applies to non-EU nationals from several countries who currently DON’T need a Visa for the EU.
You will have to apply for entry using an online form, submit your details and await a clearance before being allowed to travel.
The application can take from a few minutes to up to 2 weeks.
Once your email approval is received it will normally be valid for up to 3 years, or passport expiry if sooner (subject to the rules on passport validity).
