Plans by the European Union to introduce its new Entry-Exit System (EES) for travellers from non-EU countries are to be delayed after the previous launch date of May 2023 was “no longer deemed feasible”.
EES will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries, including the UK, every time they cross the EU’s external border. It will apply to both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers.
The EU-LISA's Management Board, which oversees the implementation of large-scale IT systems, said launching EES in May 2023 was now “considered no longer achievable due to delays from the contractors”.
“While a new date has not been planned, the management board agreed that the stakeholders shall continue their preparation accordingly, with the target date by the end of 2023. In particular, border crossing points should be fully equipped for the use of the Entry/Exit System,” said EU-LISA in a statement.
The EU is now working on a revised timetable for the introduction of EES, which will be presented for approval at a Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meeting in March 2023.
The EES delay comes after plans to introduce the EU’s new US-style electronic travel authorisation system, ETIAS, for visitors from non-EU countries were also postponed until “late” 2023. The system had previously been due to come into operation in May 2023.
Once operational, EES will register the traveller’s name, type of the travel document, biometric data such as fingerprints and captured facial images, and the date and place of entry and exit. The EU has insisted that all this data will be treated with “full respect of fundamental rights and data protection”.