Airport screenings for EES in Switzerlands commence
In a significant move towards enhanced border security, Switzerland will be introducing the European Union's Entry and Exit System (EES) at its major airports from October 12th. Geneva and Zurich airports will be the first to roll out the checks, followed by EuroAirport at Basel-Mulhouse and smaller airports such as Bern-Belp and Lugano at a later date.
The EES system is designed to identify wanted persons, those without valid identity documents, and cases of overstaying, such as the 90-day limit. It will involve taking fingerprints and facial scans from non-EU travellers. However, EU and Schengen nationals, as well as non-EU residents living in Switzerland and other Schengen area countries, are exempt from the EES system, but may still be impacted by extra queues during the transition period. They will still need to present their passport to an immigration officer.
The registration process at self-service kiosks will take one or two minutes. Passengers are urged to arrive early at the airport to allow for a smooth registration process. Assistants will be available to help and advise passengers with the registration process.
After registration, passengers will go to border control officers to provide biometric data (fingerprints and facial scan). The electronic registration system means that the entry stamp does not need to be manually affixed to the travel document. Passenger data will be stored for three years, meaning travellers will be exempt from registering again if they enter another Schengen zone country during this time.
Zurich airport will begin gradually rolling out the EES scheme in autumn, with the exact launch date expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Switzerland will also continue the rollout of the European Train Control System (ETCS) or EES system as part of its national implementation plan, which is expected to be updated by June 2024 and includes efforts to ensure interoperability and compatibility with the latest ETCS versions.
It is important for passengers to find out about entry requirements imposed by their airline and the country of destination before departure. The EES checks will be followed by the introduction of the European Travel Authorisation and Information System (ETIAS) in the final quarter of 2026.
In conclusion, the introduction of the EES system marks a significant step towards enhancing border security in Switzerland. Passengers are advised to familiarise themselves with the new system and arrive early at the airport to ensure a smooth travel experience.
