Europe - Fast track for EU countries

Hi all,

Is there a fast-track service (flying Y-economy) that visitors to the EU (non-residents) can sign-up for and which is valid at all EU airports? or does every EU country has its own separate procedure?.

Season's greetings,
Sam.

The only way to really fast track is to hold a EU passport, and even then unless you are some very important person i.e a state official you are very unlikely to have access to rush customs (one exception being first class on lufthansa in FRA which has a seperate building). Other then that, the rules are quite similar for entry into all Schengen Countries. But this is just from my own experience, as I hold dual Polish/Canadian Passports. And my experience is limited to FRA/CDG/WAW/GDA airports. Your best bet would be to check out www.europa.eu and browse around there for official sources of information.

Thanks. I couldn't anything specific on fast track immigration in the link, though there's some general info on immigration procedures and air travel. Am Ii missing something?.

Season's greetings,
Sam.

Please follow in our Travel->Europe forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.

There is no Europe-wide system. Almost all immigration checkpoints in Europe have separate queues for EU and non EU citizens. Several countries have their own "express" systems but all are entirely separate and there is nothing that works across Europe.

Thanks. ^

Hi all,

Is there a fast-track service (flying Y-economy) that visitors to the EU (non-residents) can sign-up for and which is valid at all EU airports? or does every EU country has its own separate procedure?.

Season's greetings,
Sam.

Of course there is nothing that is Europe-wide, or event better schengen-wide
Some country may have it's own system. The UK implemented IRIS:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/travellingtotheuk/Enteringtheuk/usingiris/

Furthermore, I'm afraid that any fast-track (common priority lane) service is generally speaking airport-based, although the same group can manage multiple airports and then implement the same service in several airports.

Thanks Alice.
Would you know if FCO has one and if so can non-EU residents flying in Y (economy) can use it (for example, by registering their details or biodata)?.

Cheers,
Sam.

A number of countries have implemented automated borders for holders of EU e-chip passports.

Thanks Alice.
Would you know if FCO has one and if so can non-EU residents flying in Y (economy) can use it (for example, by registering their details or biodata)?.

Cheers,
Sam.

Hello Sam1122,
Unfortunately, Italy didn't implement any immigration system based on biometric information or any other technology enabling automated clearance, and nothing is expected on the short term.
Furthermore, I think that at this stage something like that can not be made at national level. Everything should be based on EU/schengen law and standard.

A number of countries have implemented automated borders for holders of EU e-chip passports.

Do you mean non-EU contries implementing services available to EU member country nationals, or EU countries? AFAIK, this sort of system is not common in the EU, at least in the biggest markets and with the exception of the UK - which is not member of the Schengen area, anyway

Is there a fast-track service (flying Y-economy) that visitors to the EU (non-residents) can sign-up for and which is valid at all EU airports? or does every EU country has its own separate procedure?.


I'm not sure if you're aware of it or not, but once you pass immigration in your country of arrival to the EU, you will most likely enter Schengen space, and there will be no immigration between Schengen countries at all. If you won't be going to/from the UK, Ireland, Bulgaria or Romania, you should only be in the immigration queue twice: Once on entering the Schengen space, and once on leaving it :)

The Schengen space includes all of EU except the UK, Ireland, Bulgaria and Romania. However, it includes some non-EU countries: Switzerland, Iceland and Norway. So, if you enter the EU at FCO, you're free to roam any other EU countries (with the exceptions above) with no more immigration queues :)