New EU travel requirements from October

forgoodnesssake

I’m just wondering how the new European travel system (EES) coming in in October requiring facial scans and finger prints will work for disabled children and adults who have problems with controlling hands, heads etc? Has any work been done on this in anticipation?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system

Albus_Scope

That's a very interesting question @forgoodnesssake I'm not aware of any changes to be honest, so would be unable to give you an answer here. I've had a look at possible exemptions, but no mention of disabilities there.

forgoodnesssake

I'm just imagining trying to get my adult son's athetoid fingers to co-operate…and the more he tries to assist the more intentional dyspraxia kicks in! And of course this could be in a car, in a q at Dover!

66Mustang

In the US you can be exempted from their fingerprint system for this very reason

I looked up and found this for the EU

Albus_Scope

Ah excellent find there @66Mustang nice one. 😁

Taks

I travelled yesterday from Prague to the UK. I went through the assistance side of passport control and myself and my husband had to register our fingerprints on a desktop device and then turn to have our faces photographed. Our adult daughter was already getting anxious about what we might be asking her to do ( she is autistic, has a severe learning disability and demand avoidance. ) I was already thinking that I would have to spread her fingers out on the device and hold her hand down and then manipulating her for the photo! I couldn’t see it going well at all but after telling the policeman in the booth that it could be problematic, we were waved through. I’d like official clarification on what the guidelines or policy is for UK travellers with disabilities preventing compliance with these requirements.
Any pointers appreciated!

Holly_Scope

Hi @Taks I recently tried to find some information on this, however I couldn't see any regulations/legislation specific to this unfortunately.

Kimi87

This scheme runs by the EU for non EU travellers.

https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees

Perhaps asking your MP would be a good place to start?