Moroccans traveling to Europe face new border procedures from Sept. 7 as EES resumes

Moroccans traveling to Europe could face hours-long waits at border crossings from Sept. 7, when an exceptional summer arrangement for managing crowded queues is expected to end.

The European Entry/Exit System, or EES, digitally tracks travelers from countries outside the European Union. It was reactivated in April after long queues appeared at several European airports. Under the temporary exception, member states could suspend biometric checks for up to six hours when lines became too difficult to manage.

That exception is expected to stop operating at European borders on Sunday evening. From Monday, countries will generally have to continue biometric checks even when waiting times become very long. No further extension had been announced by Friday, despite requests from several countries and transport industry professionals.

At first registration, Moroccan travelers will have their passports read, their faces photographed and their fingerprints taken at dedicated kiosks in airports, train stations and ports. The information will be stored in a file. On later visits, travelers will need to verify their biometric records when entering or leaving the Schengen area.

The most serious implementation problems have been reported at airports in Spain, France, Portugal and Italy. Airport authorities recorded waits of up to five hours during some peak periods, according to the account cited in the report.