No change to EES checks at Gibraltar Airport as nine Schengen states ease enforcement

Nine Schengen countries have reportedly eased the enforcement of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System because of continuing technical problems.

Spain is not among them, so there is no change to the EES checks already being carried out at Gibraltar Airport for on residents. 

The Sunday Times reports that France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland have told the European Commission they will not fully enforce the new checks while technical problems continue.

The newspaper says Brussels has informally agreed to the move in an effort to keep borders moving.

The EES involves taking fingerprints and a facial scan from most non-EU travellers entering Schengen.

Spain has not suspended the checks, so they continue at Gibraltar Airport for non-EU visitors entering the Schengen area.

Gibraltar residents are exempt under the new arrangements with the EU, but the exemption does not apply to other non-EU passengers arriving at the airport.