New Timeline For Rollout of EES and ETIAS

A new timeline for the EU's post-Brexit Entry/Exit System (EES) has officially been confirmed by EU ministers.

EU home affairs ministers endorsed the revised dates for the new EU border systems' implementation, which will affect many non-EU citizens entering the Schengen area in the future.

The decision concerns the Entry/Exit System (EES), which will record data of citizens from non-EU countries in an EU-wide database every time they enter and exit the Schengen area, and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will require non-EU nationals from visa-exempt countries to apply for a digital authorisation before departure.

Foreign nationals officially resident in the EU will be exempted from both border rules when entering the Schengen area.

When first announced both systems were initially due to be in place by now, but the rollout faced multiple setbacks leading to several postponements.

Now, EU officials have announced that some parts of the system will be operational in late 2024.

On 19 October, eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for the development and operational management of the IT systems for EU border management, presented the new timeline to ministers meeting at the EU Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

The council said in a statement: “The new roadmap for the delivery of the new IT architecture foresees that the Entry/Exit System will be ready to enter into operation in autumn 2024.”

ETIAS depends on the Entry/Exit System to be functioning. The council said, “Etias will be ready to enter into operation in spring 2025.”

Once the Entry/Exit System is implemented, non-EU travellers will be required to have their fingerprints and facial biometrics taken.

Once ETIAS becomes operational, citizens of more than 60 countries who do not need a visa to enter the bloc will have to apply for ETIAS travel authorisation.

When the new systems finally do come into force, non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area will face new border control and it could increase delays at border checkpoints.

What are your thoughts on EES and ETIAS? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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