Automated Border Control system or ABC gates

Since the end of 2020, an automated border control system known as ABC gates has been in place at Tallinn Airport and Narva border crossing point to make border crossings more convenient and faster for travellers.

Are ABC gates available at all Narva border crossing points?

ABC gates are currently available at the Narva-1 border crossing point (Sõpruse or Friendship Bridge). ABC gates are not yet in use at the Narva-2 border crossing point (the footbridge) or at the Narva railway border crossing point.

How many ABC gates are there for crossing the border?

ABC gates are available for border crossing at the pedestrian terminal of the Narva-1 border crossing point and Tallinn Airport terminal on the exit and entry route. There are four ABC gates in both directions at both border crossing points.

Is it difficult to use the ABC gates?

Using an ABC gate is very fast and simple. Border crossers of all ages can handle it. You can watch an introductory video on how to use the gate from the screen on the wall of the border crossing point before crossing the border. Through the entire process, you are guided by a text displayed on the gate screen with an explanatory animation.

How do I know the ABC gates are open for border checks?

The panels on the right side and above an ABC gate open for border crossings display a green arrow showing that the gate is ready for border checks. If the gate displays a red X, it means the gate is closed.

What to do if a gate is occupied?

If someone is already using the gate and there are no other gates available, you must wait behind the yellow line until the gate becomes free and the permissive green arrow lights up.

Are ABC gates available to anyone crossing the border?

Everyone who is 1.2–2 metres tall and at least 12 years old can use ABC gates in Tallinn and Narva for crossing the border. When using ABC gates in Saatse the person has to be at least 18 years old. The person crossing the border must be an EU citizen or a third country national holding a residence permit of the Republic of Estonia, or a stateless person in the Republic of Estonia.

What must the holder of a residence permit take into account when using ABC gates for crossing the border?

In order for a border crosser holding a residence permit to be able to use the ABC gate, he or she must have undergone a regular border check at the external border of the Republic of Estonia at least once with this residence permit. The residence permit is not physically checked at the ABC gate, but the person must carry it with them.

Are there any differences in the use of an ABC gate with regard to travel documents?

The border crosser must have a biometric passport (containing a chip). A passport with a chip has an image symbolising the chip on its cover.

Are there any restrictions on the use of ABC gates?

Border crossers who are travelling with a bicycle, wheelchair, baby carriage or large hand luggage and are accompanied by another person cannot use the ABC gates. Large hand luggage is baggage which, when set on the ground, is more than 1.2 m high, cannot be easily picked up at once and does not fit into the ABC gate space together with the border crosser while undergoing a border check. The aforementioned individuals must undergo a regular border check to cross the border.

How to place the accompanying luggage when using the gate?

You must place a larger suitcase in front of you during the border check. The baggage must not prevent facial recognition.

What should I do before undergoing a border check at an ABC gate?

You must remove any hats, glasses, masks or other objects preventing facial recognition before border checks.

How should I stand at an ABC gate?

You must face the gate during the border check. There is a footprint sticker on the floor indicating where you will have to stand. You have to look directly at the screen.

How is my travel document checked?

If you have put an additional cover on your passport, you must remove it before the border check, as it may prevent the document from being checked. Open your passport to the photo page and follow the instructions on the screen, which require you to place your passport on the reader on your right hand side so that your photo page faces the glass. Hold your right hand firmly on your passport during the document check and look toward the screen at the gate. When the border check is completed, the ABC gate instructs you to remove the passport from the reader.

What to do if an ABC gate does not allow me through?

If there is a circumstance precluding the use of ABC gates, the ABC gate will let you know via the screen on how to proceed. If the gate does not open, do not try to open it by force. It may be necessary to wait until the arrival of an official who will address this matter further or to turn to an official performing the regular check to complete your border check.

Are there any differences in the use of ABC gates when entering and leaving the country?

In normal circumstances, border checks at ABC gates do not differ on the entry and exit route.

Do border crossers use the ABC gates?

As a rule, people who have used ABC gates at least once will be happy to do so in the future. A positive experience of a simple and fast way to cross the border with practically no queue is a good prerequisite for choosing ABC gates for border checks in the future. We hope that by 2030, 40% of border crossers will choose ABC gates to cross the border.