France, Germany and the Netherlands, believed to be the last three countries to finalise procedures, are now ready to proceed, according to French publication The Connexion, meaning a phased introduction could start in October.
Meanwhile, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, has developed an app to allow travellers to pre-register their documents and a facial image for EES purposes.
The Travel to Europe app can be used up to 72 hours prior to entering or departing the EU. However, Frontex said when travellers arrive at the border, they would still undergo border checks. “For security and technical reasons, fingerprints will also need to be scanned at the border in the presence of a border guard,” it said.
Frontex added: “In simple terms, most of the information border guards would have to insert to EES about a third country national at the border crossing point could be sent with the app in advance, allowing faster entry or exit.”
The app will first go live at Stockholm’s Arlanda airport this year, with France, Italy and the Netherlands planning for a 2026 start. Portugal and Greece have also “expressed interest” in implementing the app.
Frontex deputy executive director Uku Sarekanno said: “The app is ready to be used with the start of the EES in the coming autumn. Now it is up to every member state to integrate the app with its national systems. Although it’s voluntary, we encourage EU countries to make maximum use of it.”
Elsewhere, Port of Dover has confirmed how it will operate under the new rules.
In a change to previous plans, car passengers will have to exit their vehicles and use self-service kiosks to register their details, which will then be checked by border guards.
The port had previously said staff would use iPads to conduct in-vehicle registration, but this was subsequently believed to be too time-consuming.
Details of how coach passengers will be processed have also been finalised. Passengers will alight to use one of 24 self-service kiosks to enter data. The coach will then be "sealed" before proceeding to the check-in area at the ferry terminal.
A new area of reclaimed land at Dover’s western docks has been allocated for this purpose.
Dover chief executive Doug Bannister previously said passengers must gear up for “big change” in the autumn.
