EU Pushes Back November Launch of Electronic Border Checks

Once again, the launch of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to streamline border checks for non-EU travellers, has been delayed. It was previously set to launch on November 10, 2024 but the rollout has been pushed back due to continued technical challenges in numerous member countries

At a recent meeting of EU interior ministers, Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson announced the delay. “November 10th is no longer on the table,” Johansson stated, adding that key countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands are not yet ready to implement the system.

The EES was supposed to revolutionise border controls by replacing manual passport stamping with fingerprint and facial scans, making the process faster and more secure. The new system aims to track non-EU visitors entering and exiting the bloc, logging biometric data to prevent overstays and reduce identity fraud. However, the technology’s full readiness remains a stumbling block.

Although Johansson expressed hope that the system could be phased in gradually, this option isn't possible under the current regulation. “We may need to introduce targeted amendments to make a step-by-step rollout feasible,” she said.

For now, no new timeline has been set, as further legal assessments are underway.

A Long-Awaited Upgrade – But Delays Continue

The Entry/Exit System, first proposed in 2016, has faced numerous delays.

Its goal is to modernise and simplify border checks across the EU, but progress has been slow. When it does eventually launch, the EES will apply to all non-EU citizens visiting the EU for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

Only Cyprus and Ireland, along with Schengen-associated nations like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, have opted out of the biometric upgrades for now, continuing with traditional passport stamping.

Despite the ongoing delays, the EES is set to bring significant changes once it's operational—enhancing security and speeding up border procedures, but the EU still has work to do before these goals become a reality.

Keep an eye out for further updates, as this ambitious project inches closer to implementation.

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