Considering booking holiday but not sure as to how HWP will manage the EES biometric requirements given his bilateral tremor. Has anyone already been through this who may be able to advise please?
3 Likes
@Tiny3003 Not been through this but I asked the Google monster and it says
- Physical Impossibility Clause: Under Article 17 of EU Regulation 2017/2226, if providing fingerprints is physically impossible due to a medical condition or physical disability, you are exempt from the fingerprint requirement.
- Alternative Data: If fingerprints cannot be taken, border officials will prioritize your facial image and may register other available biometric data (like a palm scan). A note will be added to your digital file explaining why fingerprints were not captured
- Parkinson’s Passport: It is highly recommended to carry a “Parkinson’s Passport” or a medical letter. This document can help quickly explain your condition, including communication difficulties, mobility issues, or the presence of a Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) device.
3 Likes
Thank you for this information. I had never even heard of a Parkinson’s Passport! It does seem to be rather more focused on those who have a pump or have had DBS but still worth looking at.
I just wondered if anyone had actually been through the EES themselves and what their experience was like. It all seems quite chaotic and time consuming for those able bodied without any additional issues 
3 Likes
Hello @Tiny3003, thank you for your post. It’s great to hear that you and your husband are looking to book a holiday. We have information on holidays and travel with Parkinson’s on our website, which you might find helpful: Holidays, travel and Parkinson's | Parkinson's UK , including a holiday checklist.
We hope the community can also share what they’ve found helpful when going on holidays, too.
Take care 
Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team
2 Likes
Hi Tiny, thanks for posting about this, I have been looking at the chaos in the airports with trepidation as hubbys PD sends his stress levels off the scale. He’s had problems using the automated gates in the UK and because he gets stressed about using them then the obvious happens and he’s there for ages.
Thank you also Johan I have printed off the passport, but I think we will have to be more pro active at the gates and ask for more assistance. Although he hates asking for help!
THB when coming back from abroad we have usually been directed to the shorter priority lane which has helped. We are doing a long haul in July, but it doesn’t transit through an EU country [thankfully], but we too would be grateful if anyone who has been through could give us a ‘heads up’ how things are?
PS just had a quick look at the passport , the section for meds is woefully short 
extra pages needed.
1 Like
@Janben Booking assistance when you book your flight is the way to go ( I know all about partners hating to ask for help, so just book it and say its done and unable to cancel). Once booked you go to the assistance desk at the airport ,either before check in or after up to you, you will get all the help you need. We’ve used assistance in a few countries and its all been the same, once you introduce yourself someone will help you right to the seat on the plane (you board first). On arrival at airport you’re last off but here’s the thing you bypass all the queues, our record for Gatwick is 50 mins yes 50 mins from arriving at gate, getting on to the buggy, through customs, pick up luggage and onto taxi rank.
1 Like
we have recently returned from a holiday in Lanzarote and the airport staff are very helpful and the passport control seemed to accept my wife who has P didn’t need to do a finger print
1 Like
@Johanmb Yes you’re right about him not wanting ‘assistance’, it would be fine if it were a buggy, but he really doesn’t like wheelchairs as he is able to walk quite well, most of the time. But as it’s long haul and the in flight times are 4.5 hrs - 9-10 hrs and 1 hr I have to weigh up the stress levels of both scenarios, not an easy thing to do I also have arthritis and sometimes have difficulties so it would be double wheelchairs .
Our daughter who we will be visiting has told her dad that he needs to look on it as VIP treatment?
I will have to see how he is nearer to the time x
@Janben My partner has a number of health issues so we have used the service on every flight in the last 8 years. Up until last trip we just had the buggy but last trip on we went wheelchairs for both of us all the way and it was so smooth and relaxed. I do get some some grumbles but I do my best Nora Batty impression and after awhile grumbles disappear.
1 Like
@Johanmb Thanks, I will have to get creative I think. It’s really common sense, but hubby can be so bloody minded. Thank you for your replies, it’s appreciated x
Hello, have just experienced for the first time the new system at Dover travelling with friends on a coach trip. My friend has dupytrons constrictor in her hands and could not place her hand flat on the finger print machine. They just said we’ll try again on your return. However they didn’t just concentrated on her eye picture. There were a number of people that the finger print part didn’t work for.
Key point is queues everywhere takes longer over all - without doubt I would now book assistance if travelling via air with my husband who has PD.
Enjoy your travels.
1 Like
@Plus1 thanks for your update x