Australians visiting Europe will be required to register biometric data when crossing into the Schengen area under a new European Union Entry and Exit System (EES) that takes effect on Oct. 12.
Under the system, travellers entering or leaving the 29-country Schengen zone must provide fingerprints, a photograph and personal details at the border to create a digital record verifying identity. Border authorities will also ask a series of questions of travellers as part of the registration process.
Australia’s government travel advice service Smartraveller said the registration will be free and "is expected to take just minutes," and that travellers do not need to complete any paperwork before arriving at the border. The agency warned, however, that travellers may face longer queues while the system is phased in.
The EES applies to non-European Union travellers and is intended to record entries and exits electronically rather than by stamping passports. Officials say the system will reduce irregular stays and improve border management by linking entry and exit records to a person rather than to a specific passport.
If a person returns to the Schengen area within three years of creating a digital record, Smartraveller said they will generally only need to provide a fingerprint and/or photograph at the border on subsequent entries and exits. The EES will be gradually expanded at crossing points across the Schengen area until "full implementation" by April 10 next year.
Australians can travel to Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Smartraveller noted that the 90/180-day limit "is calculated as a single period for all the European countries using the EES" and is attached to the traveller rather than their passport, meaning use of a different passport will not reset the allowance.
Travellers who remain beyond the permitted period will be classified as overstayers and may face consequences identified by the EES, including detention, fines, removal or bans on re-entry to the EU.
The Schengen zone includes 29 countries across Europe, such as France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands, and covers both EU and a number of non-EU states that participate in the agreement. The implementation of the EES is part of the EU’s broader effort to modernise border controls and to provide authorities with a digital, centralised record of short-term travel to the area.
Travellers are advised to check official government travel advice and airline guidance ahead of travel for the latest information on entry and exit procedures and to allow extra time at border control during the initial rollout period.