During the busy holiday season, the implementation of the European Entry/Exit System (EES) is reportedly causing delays at popular destinations like Spain, Greece, and France.
Reports from local media in Spain indicate that British travelers may face up to six-hour queues at airports due to new processing requirements under the EES. All non-EU visitors, including Brits, now need to provide biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints upon arrival, and utilize designated machines during departure to monitor overstays.
One contributing factor to longer wait times for Brits is that they must queue with other non-EU nationals while EU passport holders have dedicated lanes. However, travelers heading to Portugal or Sweden this summer have an opportunity to expedite their airport experience.
An official app called the Travel to Europe app, currently available for visitors to select EU countries, offers a potential solution to streamline airport procedures. By downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play, travelers can input their journey details up to 72 hours before departure, including border crossing points and estimated arrival times.
Using the app, passengers can scan their passport details, take a selfie for identity verification, and answer brief questions about their travel plans. By completing these steps beforehand, travelers can save time at the airport, although using the app does not guarantee immediate border entry.
Families traveling together can register multiple passengers on the app and receive confirmation of their journey acceptance. Once at the airport, they can follow designated signs to navigate through security quickly. While the app has received mixed reviews, with some users citing limited country support, others have reported significant time savings and smoother processing.
Portugal attracts around 2.4 million British tourists annually, contributing significantly to the country’s tourism revenue. Foreign tourists, particularly Brits and Germans, play a vital role in bolstering Portugal’s economy, with Brits being among the top spenders.
In conclusion, the Travel to Europe app presents a promising solution for British travelers visiting Portugal and other select EU destinations to minimize queuing time and maximize their enjoyment of the holiday season.
