TITLE II

EXTERNAL BORDERS
CHAPTER II

Control of external borders and refusal of entry

Separate lanes and information on signs
Article 10
1
Member States shall provide separate lanes, in particular at air border crossing points in order to carry out checks on persons, in accordance with Article 8. Such lanes shall be differentiated by means of the signs bearing the indications set out in Annex III.
Member States may provide separate lanes at their sea and land border crossing points and at borders between Member States which do not apply Article 22 at their common borders. The signs bearing the indications set out in Annex III shall be used if Member States provide separate lanes at those borders.
Member States shall ensure that such lanes are clearly signposted, including where the rules relating to the use of the different lanes are waived as provided for in paragraph 4, in order to ensure optimal flow levels of persons crossing the border.
2
Persons enjoying the right of free movement under Union law are entitled to use the lanes indicated by the sign shown in Part A (‘EU, EEA, CH’) of Annex III. They may also use the lanes indicated by the sign shown in Part B1 (‘visa not required’) and Part B2 (‘all passports’) of Annex III.
Third-country nationals who are not obliged to possess a visa when crossing the external borders of the Member States in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 539/2001 and third-country nationals who hold a valid residence permit or long-stay visa may use the lanes indicated by the sign shown in Part B1 (‘visa not required’) of Annex III to this Regulation. They may also use the lanes indicated by the sign shown in Part B2 (‘all passports’) of Annex III to this Regulation.
All other persons shall use the lanes indicated by the sign shown in Part B2 (‘all passports’) of Annex III.
The indications on the signs referred to in the first, second and third subparagraphs may be displayed in such language or languages as each Member State considers appropriate.
The provision of separate lanes indicated by the sign shown in Part B1 (‘visa not required’) of Annex III is not obligatory. Member States shall decide whether to do so and at which border crossing points in accordance with practical needs.
3
At sea and land border crossing points, Member States may separate vehicle traffic into different lanes for light and heavy vehicles and buses by using signs as shown in Part C of Annex III.
Member States may vary the indications on those signs where appropriate in the light of local circumstances.
4
In the event of a temporary imbalance in traffic flows at a particular border crossing point, the rules relating to the use of the different lanes may be waived by the competent authorities for the time necessary to eliminate such imbalance.