You can try to avoid queues by doing this (Stock Image) (Image: We-Ge via Getty Images)
Temperatures may be rising across the UK, but that hasn’t stopped Brits from dreaming of sun-soaked holidays abroad, eager to immerse themselves in different cultures and savour mouth-watering cuisine.
However, Brits heading to Portugal or Sweden this year have been issued a stark warning – there’s something they must do before touching down at their destination airport, or risk facing significant delays upon arrival.
A free app called Travel to Europe, available to download from all major app stores, is set to be rolled out across the entire Schengen area. This summer, downloading it could prove essential in dodging lengthy queues at the border.
The new automated digital border control system introduced by the European Union, known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), has been triggering unexpected hold-ups for travellers.
The system logs the entry, exit, and refusal of entry for non-EU nationals — including British citizens — travelling to the Schengen Area for short stays, replacing the traditional practice of stamping passports.
The app generates a QR code confirming the holder has already answered key questions about their trip — including how much money they can access while travelling, the amount of physical cash they are carrying, and whether accommodation has been pre-booked.
TikTok user @wadebeyondtravel shed light on how the system operates, and said: “Are you sick of the queues when you get to Europe for the EES? If you are, then you’re gonna wanna hear this.
“So the EU have quietly released a travel app that allows you to register your biometrics before you travel, and then when you get to the other end, you will go through passport control really easily.”
She explained currently the app is only available in Portugal and Sweden, meaning travellers visiting other countries may still face lengthy queues. However, further countries are set to be added in the near future, making it essential to keep notifications enabled within the app to stay informed of upcoming additions.
So, what precisely does the app offer? It streamlines border control by enabling users to voluntarily pre-register their passport details, submit a facial scan, and respond to entry questions up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
These questions cover your intentions while in the country, as well as your planned departure date, including whether you hold a return ticket back to your country of origin.
Fellow travellers can also be added to your account, meaning not everyone in your party is required to download the app individually, provided they supply the same answers to the relevant questions.
The app subsequently generates a QR code to be scanned at self-service border kiosks. It is worth noting it does not replace standard in-person border checks, but it can considerably cut waiting times in congested queues.
If you’re questioning who has access to the personal data, the Travel to Europe website explains: “Before you submit your journey, only you have access to your personal data. The border authorities of the country you have selected for your journey will only see it once you submit your journey. Any unsubmitted draft versions will be automatically deleted after 7 days. The EES guarantees that your personal data is protected under EU data protection law.”