Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus will not apply the European Union’s new electronic entry/exit system (EES) when it comes into force across most of Europe in April, as the island remains outside the border-free Schengen zone. As a result, no EES-related queues are forecast at Cyprus ports of entry.
Schengen EES rollout and who is covered
British media has reported long queues for tourists entering European destinations such as Spain and France as the EES rollout faces early technological issues. The EES, which replaces traditional passport stamps, first entered operation in October last year and will be fully implemented on April 10 across the Schengen zone’s 29 member states.
Under the EES, most travellers who are not citizens of EU member states, European Free Trade Association (Efta) states Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, or microstates Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City will be photographed and have their fingerprints recorded upon arrival at the Schengen zone’s frontiers.
Cyprus residents and exemptions
Although Cyprus is not part of Schengen, Cypriots are EU citizens and are exempt from EES procedures. Third country nationals living in Cyprus will not need to be photographed and fingerprinted and will instead be able to present their passport and residence permit to enter the Schengen zone, as they are considered to be residents of an EU member state.
British “yellow slip” holders and biometric residence cards
An exception applies to British nationals who are permanent residents in Cyprus and hold “yellow slips.” The “yellow slip” is a registration certificate issued to EU and Efta citizens who move to Cyprus, which British nationals were able to obtain until the transition period following the United Kingdom’s departure from the EU ended on December 31, 2020.
“Yellow slip” holders who are citizens of EU and Efta states will continue to have freedom of movement rights across the EU and Efta and will not be required to be photographed or fingerprinted at Schengen borders. However, Schengen zone countries will not allow British nationals who have not replaced their “yellow slips” with the new biometric residence cards now available to them to enter the Schengen zone without being subjected to EES checks and registered in the EES database by border police.
Have you checked whether your residence documentation will exempt you from EES checks when entering the Schengen zone?
