Procedure for registration and use of PARAFES

To use the PARAFES system, registration on a national database is required beforehand. Enrolment is carried out once only in one of the lounges equipped with this facility at airport terminals. The database contains information on applicants’ civil status and details on their travel documents. Fingerprints are taken at registration, and are used exclusively for authentication purposes, to allow passengers to pass through the airlock gate. They are used for no other purpose.

To register, passengers must have a current passport, i.e. a passport which is valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure, and the passport must be machine-readable. Citizens of non-EU countries must have their passport and their residence permit marked “family member of European Union citizen”. Without this reference, enrolment cannot be carried out. If more than one document is used as proof of identity, the shortest expiry date is used. The officer then takes fingerprints and asks passengers to verify their registration at a test terminal. In this way, passengers can familiarise themselves with the system. Registration is valid for 5 years and valid at all airports which are equipped, or to be equipped with the PARAFES facility.