The EU’s digital entry and exit system, which replaced traditional passport stamps with biometric records at Schengen zone borders, has encountered significant technical problems affecting UK travellers. The system, introduced last year, is designed to track visitors’ 90-day allowance out of every 180-day period. However, recording failures have resulted in some British nationals being falsely flagged as having exceeded their permitted stay duration.
Author Jojo Moyes was detained by French border guards following a holiday after the system failed to record her departure from Portugal in May. She had spent only 23 days in the EU over a six-month period but was warned she faced potential penalties including a €10,000 fine and a two-year entry ban if she attempted to return before the issue was resolved. Similar cases have affected other UK travellers, including Jane Nolan and her husband, whose records incorrectly showed zero days remaining in their allowance despite only spending 40 days in France and having made no subsequent Schengen visits.
The problems stem from instances where biometric data was collected upon arrival but not recorded at departure, causing the system to treat travellers as still present in the EU. Some countries temporarily suspended the system during the summer in response to technical difficulties and staffing shortages. The European Union is pursuing legal action against three firms held responsible for the failures.
Travel industry representatives and consumer advocates have criticized the situation as unacceptable, noting that travellers face serious consequences for errors entirely outside their control. The UK Foreign Office acknowledged awareness of inaccuracies affecting British nationals and indicated engagement with the European Commission on the matter. Affected travellers can check their records online using their passport number and request corrections through designated data protection channels, though several individuals have reported unsuccessful attempts to resolve their cases through official channels.
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