Electronic authorisation required for EU travel from 2025

[muppet]

Were they using eGates for pre-registered folk?

I can’t be certain but I don’t think so. All non-EU went to the kiosks and then we went through eGates after doing the questions, photo and finger prints.

 

[SYD]

I can’t be certain but I don’t think so. All non-EU went to the kiosks and then we went through eGates after doing the questions, photo and finger prints.

So if I’ve pre-registered (photo / finger prints) somewhere else prior, I should be able to go direct to the eGates.

We’re entering (hopefully) via MXP but then heading to the UK and back to the EU also via AGP.

 

[Pushka]

Decided to bid for upgrade on TAP from Lisbon tomorrow. Cheap bid and successful. Hopefully reduces some of the angst.

 

[clifford]

just arrived in BRU from HKG - only EU/EEA/CH via EES, everyone else manually processed, including transfers (most EES kiosks closed/off) - almost 2h queue, bad enough that water and Biscoff biscuits were handed out:

I guess I made the right call then.

My transfer at AMS from TK to BA (instead of using BRU) was seam free, and I was in the One World lounge within 20 minutes of exiting the arriving aircraft.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I guess I made the right call then.

My transfer at AMS from TK to BA (instead of using BRU) was seam free, and I was in the One World lounge within 20 minutes of exiting the arriving aircraft.

But wouldn’t that be exempt from any sort of passport control? Non-schengen to non-schengen?

 

[RooFlyer]

So if I’ve pre-registered (photo / finger prints) somewhere else prior, I should be able to go direct to the eGates.

You should, but its possible (?likely) that e-Gates will not be available and everyone will be directed to manual. Why? Say there was a sign 'e-Gates for people who have registered for EES'. Result? "What's registration?" "I'm registered - I think." "I dunno - I'll give it a go ..." & clog up e-gates. So while its still a shemozzle, my recent experience is that e-Gates unavailable and all manual processing, to some degree.

 

[qaz]

just arrived in BRU from HKG - only EU/EEA/CH via EES, everyone else manually processed, including transfers (most EES kiosks closed/off) - almost 2h queue, bad enough that water and Biscoff biscuits were handed out:
View attachment 512963

i guess that it could’ve been worse:

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left BRU (for OSL) - queuing for and security screening itself took ~30min - clear plastic bags provided at pre-screening for all liquids, gels, medication, including skincare/makeup:

 

[AuSammy]

left BRU (for OSL) - queuing for and security screening itself took ~30min - clear plastic bags provided at pre-screening for all liquids, gels, medication, including skincare/makeup:
View attachment 513316

Seems like wishing for some consistency in screening rules is harder to achieve than solving world hunger.

 

[markis10]

FWIW no issues outbound at ZRH this week, customs officers seem to have a lovely sense of humor, unlike the airport cafe that sells everything at odd amounts but won’t take coins, think a bottle of 300ml water cost me $12 on card, welcome to Switzerland

 

[Bofter]

We had four passages through EES over June and July, as a family travelling with a 5 year old:

- Helsinki entry, queue about 45 mins, seemed to be a function of where your flight arrives in the morning arrivals bank (fortunately ours was middle in the set, as the queue got longer after us). An increasing amount of reliance on calling people out from the queue for connections that were <60 mins of departure. But our onwards flight still held about 20 mins for a big cluster of people held up crossing the border.
- Montpellier exit, small airport, < 5 minute queue, although did seem to build a little later on closer the departure time
- Frankfurt entry, < 5 minute queue, clearly used system but also stamped passport
- Frankfurt exit, < 5 minute queue for us (only time crossing EES getting special treatment with young child) but probably ~ 10 minutes general. Completed the other part of the stamping (out to match the in, as per the old method).

At all times the (de facto) EES checker (European Union - EES / ETIAS) seemed to indicate successful registrations into the central system.

I am not saying to not plan for possible disastrously long border crossings, but I am glad we were fortunate to avoid any.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

FWIW no issues outbound at ZRH this week, customs officers seem to have a lovely sense of humor, unlike the airport cafe that sells everything at odd amounts but won’t take coins, think a bottle of 300ml water cost me $12 on card, welcome to Switzerland

The Swiss do love to maximise profit while minimising effort.