The EU’s post-Brexit Entry/Exit System (EES) was expected to launch this autumn, but the exact date remains uncertain.
An exclusive report from The Independent suggests that the EES might be delayed yet again, with the new Schengen border checks possibly starting on 10 November. There’s even the possibility of an additional postponement to 17 November. Initially scheduled for a 2022 launch, the EES has faced multiple setbacks, including delays to May 2023, the end of 2023, and most recently, October 2024.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated registration system designed for UK and other non-EU travelers who don’t require a visa to enter the EU. Under the EES, travelers will need to scan their passports or other travel documents at self-service kiosks every time they cross an EU external border. This system does not apply to legal residents or those with long-stay visas.
The EES will record the traveler’s name, biometric data, and the date and place of entry and exit. This data, including facial scans and fingerprints, will be retained for three years after each trip. The system will be implemented across all EU member states, except Cyprus and Ireland, and in four non-EU countries within the Schengen Area: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The main goal of the EES is to bolster border security and identify travelers who overstay their permitted time in the Schengen Area, which is capped at 90 days within a 180-day period.
The airline industry has generally supported the delays, as they allow more time to ensure the system is properly prepared for implementation. In a joint statement, Airports Council International (ACI), Airlines for Europe (A4E), the European Regions Airline Association (ERA), and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) described the EES as a “game changer” for EU border management. However, they emphasized that several issues must be resolved to ensure a smooth rollout and to avoid disruptions for air passengers.
The coalition stressed the need for “wider adoption and effective implementation of automation at national border crossing points by national authorities.” They also called for funding by member states to ensure sufficient trained staff and resources are deployed to manage the EU’s external borders, particularly at airports. The organizations further highlighted the necessity of a public communication campaign to inform travelers about the upcoming changes.
The EES is closely linked with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which requires non-EU citizens who do not need a visa to obtain travel authorization before entering the EU. ETIAS was initially set to be operational from November 2023, but it has now been pushed back to spring 2024. The exact launch date has not been specified, but the EU has indicated that ETIAS will be introduced five to six months after the EES.
Travelers will be able to apply for ETIAS online for a fee of €7. Once approved, the electronic travel authorization will be linked to their passport and will be valid for three years.
Delays in the EES rollout have been attributed to challenges with contractors meeting deadlines. The system requires the installation of automated barriers at all international land, maritime, and air borders in the Schengen Area. Travelers will register their details at self-service kiosks and, in some countries, on mobile apps, after which border guards or e-gates will complete the checks.
While the EES is still expected to be introduced in autumn 2024, the exact date remains unclear.
Concerns have been raised in the UK and elsewhere about the potential for increased delays at border checkpoints once the EES is implemented. A report by the non-profit organization Statewatch revealed that several countries are worried about the diminishing time available to test the system before its launch. French authorities, who will operate EES border checks at the UK’s Port of Dover, Eurostar, and Eurotunnel, are currently working with the UK government to minimize the system’s impact on border flows and traffic, though they have expressed concerns about potential waiting times.
Other countries are also working on their EES implementation plans. The European Commission has suggested that the system may need to be introduced in a gradual and flexible manner to reduce the likelihood of long waiting times at borders.
