EU exntrance/exit system (EES)

Not sure if it’s initiated in Venice yet . But we just flew in and out of Rome in January. I believe that they’re just trialing it. They had a few machines to do the facial recognition etc., but it wouldn’t work for my husband or myself along with many others . So, we went through standard customs and had our passports stamped . My understanding is that even if they were able to register one through the facial recognition they still had to go through the customs process. Return was same as we experienced this past summer, just less people so therefore way faster.

My wife and I went through Rome FCO using the facial recognition system last summer. No human interaction with anybody.

At the time I think it was only for EU citizens (both my wife and I have EU passports). I don't think it was operative on the non EU line yet. The process was faster than the in the past with the human interaction. The system started for non EU nationals at Rome FCO in October, probably VCE also started in October.

Barring any initial glitches, I would expect that, it will be faster than in the past after several months of operation. Besides I don't thing VCE would normally have long lines as not too many flights come from outside Schengen, but I have no direct experience landing in VCE from outside Schengen.

Customs does not stamp your passport. Immigration does. Customs is for your stuff.

No way to really tell since it is crowd based. We just flew into Bologna and there were 15 or so machines and 4 or 5 attendants helping everyone out. Process itself takes 2 minutes or so but it depends on the line in front of you.

We then got our passports marked and stood in an other old fashioned immigration line, got stamped and went on our way. It might have taken 10 or 15 minutes longer than usual but not longer than it had taken in the past when more planes had come in at the same time.

US passport going through the nonEU line

Hope that helps,
-Tod

I don’t think the passports get stamped anymore with the new system. The whole purpose is to do away with the stamping. Basically your entry is saved digitally via biometric data, not through an ink stamp on your passport.

I can't speak for Italian immigrations long term plans but that was still the process in Bologna. You went through the EES set-up and after being checked when through a technical recognition section - scan your passport and stand in front of the camera - and then went through the regular face to face with an immigration person who stamped my passport.

They didn't ask me any questions or really interact with me but they did physically stamp my passport and wave me through. Maybe they are going to eliminate this step with EITAS gets going? Maybe it's a jobs scheme for immigration agents? I don't know but they are still doing it there.

=Tod