EU Sues Firms Over Faulty Border System Detaining Travelers
The European Union is suing three firms after technical glitches in its Entry/Exit System falsely accused UK travelers of overstaying their visas.
Technical failures in the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) are causing UK travelers to be falsely accused of overstaying the 90-day Schengen zone allowance. The digital system, which replaced physical passport stamps with biometric data, has failed to record departures for numerous passengers, resulting in detentions, deportations, and threats of two-year travel bans and fines up to €10,000.
Jojo Moyes, a bestselling author, was detained by French border guards after the system failed to log her departure from Portugal. Moyes reported that a senior border control officer in Marseille warned her not to attempt re-entry until the issue was resolved or face severe penalties. Other travelers have reported being unable to book new trips because the system incorrectly shows they have zero remaining days in the zone.
In response to these failures, the EU is suing the three firms responsible for the system's development. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is raising these inaccuracies with the European Commission and has advised UK citizens to carry physical evidence of their last departure from the EU to avoid similar complications.
