EES – Entry-Exit System – for British travellers to EU postponed – again
Ever since BREXIT, the Entry-Exit System (EES) has been in the works to be imposed on non-EU citizens wanting to travel through any Schengen Area frontier. First, it was 2021, then autumn 2024, then April 2025, and now EES has been delayed to October 2025.
The difficulty is in the preparedness of all the 30 member countries to be ready at the same time. The plan now is to stagger the rollout in late 2025 to “scan the fingerprints or take a photo of those crossing the border for the first time”. The process is expected to be completed by April 2026.
Once EES is in place then six months later European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be imposed. This is likely to be sometime at the end of 2026.
What exactly is the Entry-Exit System – EES?
EES is an automated border management system that will replace stamping passports, Instead biometric information will be collated at passport control and put into a central database. It will track when and where non-EU travellers (aka third-country nationals) enter and exit the Schengen Area and will identify those who overstay their welcome.
Third-country nationals may stay a maximum of 90 days within any 180 days within the Schengen area.
So for example, if a third-country national, say a British citizen, wishes to fly from the UK to France, the system will capture their data, either by facial recognition or fingerprinting. It is a one time only event and once in the EU, will not be required at internal frontiers within the Schengen Area.
When will EES start?
The latest word on the EU street is that the rollout will start in October 2025 with expected completion in April 2026. During the rollout passports will continue to be stamped. Once the EES is running perfectly, passport stamping will discontinue.
What is ‘ETIAS’ and when does it start?
Once EES is in full force and working well, the next step will be to implement the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias). This will likely happen six months later, probably at the end of 2026.
ETIAS is not a visa – Europe calls this “a pre-travel authorisation system”. Its function is to tighten entry controls. Third-country nationals (who do not require a visa) have to apply online in the same way the US eSTA scheme works. The cost is €7 (£6) and valid for three years. Those under 18 or over 70 will still need to apply for and hold an Etias, it will be free.
You may also like: The countries you have taxed to enter or stay overnight.
The post EES – Entry-Exit System – for British travellers to EU postponed – again appeared first on The Travel Magazine.
