Starting on November 10, 2024, the European Union will implement a new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) designed to modernize border management and enhance security. This system will replace the traditional passport stamping method and require all foreign travelers entering the Schengen Area, regardless of their visa status, to register their details.
The EES will collect essential information such as identity, travel documents, fingerprints, and facial images. Once registered, the system will log the time and location of entry and exit for each individual. The primary objectives of the system include monitoring overstayers, curbing irregular migration, and bolstering security for EU citizens.
In response to the upcoming changes, Jérôme Chauvet, Director of Normandy Ports, which includes Cherbourg, Caen-Ouistreham, and Dieppe, has raised concerns about potential delays. Speaking to *The Connexion*, Chauvet cautioned that travelers entering France through these ports might experience longer queues due to the EES registration process.
Normandy Ports plans to primarily use tablets to register travelers arriving by car, while kiosks will be installed at terminals for those arriving by coach. Passengers traveling by bus will need to complete their registration at these kiosks before proceeding through the border.
This shift to automated processing, while aimed at improving overall border security and management, is expected to cause some initial disruption for travelers, particularly at busy entry points like Normandy’s ports.