The EES was supposed to start ages ago. It got delayed because, shocker, governments weren’t ready. Now it’s rumored to launch later this year. Maybe in October. Maybe November. Or maybe never if Easyjet keeps shouting. Wishful thinking?
Some countries are building automated kiosks to speed things up. Think of them as self-checkout machines, but for your entire identity. They’ll scan your face, check your fingers, and probably ask if you want a receipt. (No, thank you.)
How to survive the chaos
First, arrive at the airport even earlier. I know, I know. Nobody wants to do that. But add an extra hour, maybe two. Treat yourself to an overpriced sandwich while you wait. Second, prepare your fingerprints. Keep those hands clean. No greasy chips before the border!
The new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) – Consolato Generale d
Third, don’t panic. The system is new. It will be messy. But you’ll get through. Eventually. And when you’re sipping a sangria on the Spanish coast, you’ll barely remember the 45 minutes you spent staring at a blinking scanner. Probably.
