The EU has released a timeline for the implementation of the two schemes, which have been repeatedly delayed
Nearly a decade after it was first announced, the European Union has published a timeline for the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias).
EES, a border check system for non-EU nationals, is expected to become operational from October 2025, with Etias to follow in the last quarter of 2026.
The schemes were first proposed by the EU in autumn 2016, shortly after the Brexit vote, but the implementation of both has been repeatedly delayed.
First pencilled in for 2022, EES last missed its deadline in November 2024, when the European Commission (EC) was forced to delay the roll-out after several member states voiced concern about their preparedness.
Now, the Polish interior minister Tomasz Siemoniak – whose country holds the rotating EU presidency – says the EU is “aiming for October”. However, the commission has yet to confirm a date.
British passport holders will have to jump through more hoops when EES comes into force
(Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Last week, the EU reached an agreement for a phased launch of EES which, if approved by the European parliament, will be rolled out over a six-month period.
During that time, British passport-holders may face extra red tape to visit Europe as the manual process of stamping passports is likely to remain in place for an indefinite amount of time, alongside new biometric scanning.
Here’s everything you need to know about the rollout of the two systems and when we’re likely to see them.
What is EES?
The EES is a digital border management system for registering visa-exempt non-EU nationals visiting the participating 29 European countries for a short period.
It aims to modernise the border management of Schengen countries, simplify border controls and prevent identity fraud.
It will replace manual passport stamping for non-EU travellers on entry and exit from countries in the bloc.
Currently, passport stamps are used to check that third-country nationals do not stay in the Schengen Area for more than 90 days in any 180-day period, a rule that has applied to Britons since the end of the Brexit transition period.
The post-Brexit initiative was first discussed in November of 2016, just a few months after the UK voted to leave the bloc (Photo: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP via Getty Images)
EES will require Britons and other third-country travellers to register biometric details including fingerprints and photographs of their face the first time they enter the EU after it launches.
Children under 12 will need to register for EES with a facial scan, but no fingerprints will be taken.
Data will remain in the system for three years, when it will need to be taken on entry again.
EES will not apply to British passport holders travelling to Ireland (part of the Common Travel Area, alongside the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands) or Cyprus.
What is Etias?
Etias is similar to the UK’s new electronic travel authorisation (ETA) – which will apply to all nationalities from April – and the US Esta.
It will require visa-exempt passengers who do not hold a passport for an EU country – or for Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland – to apply for one ahead of travel to Europe.
Costing €7 (£5.85) for those between 18 and 70 (free for those aged under and above), most applications will be processed within minutes, but passengers will need confirmation of a successful application before they travel.
It has been previously suggested that there will be a grace period of six months following the initial rollout, for travellers who have not applied for their first visit.
Like EES, Etias will be valid for three years, or until the travel document used to make an application expires – whichever comes first.
What will EES mean for travel from UK ports?
Despite London’s mayor Sadiq Khan warning last February that EES could cause “chaos” for passengers travelling on Eurostar services, UK port operators are confident it will work smoothly when it launches.
Eurostar bosses have been working closely with the EU to ensure the incoming changes work for its passengers
(Photo: Alberto Pezzali/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“We are working closely with the authorities in the UK and EU member states, as well as with our stations, to prepare for the arrival of EES,” a Eurostar spokesperson told The i Paper, “Eurostar remains fully prepared and ready whenever it is introduced.”
London St Pancras International, terminus of the cross-channel rail service, will implement EES alongside other British ports, including Dover and Folkestone, where dual French border controls are stationed.
As of October 2024, St Pancras has set aside three areas for EES kiosks and spent around €10m (£8.38m) on improving check-in systems.
Millions have been spent at the Port of Dover too, and officials there say they are ready for its arrival.
“We welcome the EU’s decision to adopt a phased approach to launching EES, which will help ensure a successful introduction of the scheme,” Chief Executive Doug Bannister told The i Paper.
“The Port continues to work together with French, EU and UK authorities in order to be ready for the implementation of EES.”
The Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF), which will manage any potential traffic disruption when EES launches, offered a similar outlook.
“KMRF partners – including central government departments, emergency services and local authorities – will continue to work hard to ensure we are prepared for the new EU border processes,” a spokesperson said.
Nevertheless, there could well be teething problems when the EES arrives. although there are already rumours of an app which would allow travellers to submit their own biometric details – and make the process smoother for everyone.
A potential timeline for EES and Etias
October 2025
If everything goes to plan, EES will come into action across at least 10 per cent of border frontier posts within the Schengen Area.
For the first 60 days, the biometric elements won’t be mandatory, although some countries might choose to implement it. At this point, passports will still be stamped.
December 2025
All border crossings which operate EES will be required to use the biometric system.
January 2026
The EC says by this date, “member states should operate the Entry/Exit System – with biometric functionalities – at a minimum of half of their border crossing points”.
Simply put, most travellers will have to provide EES biometrics as well as having to get their passport stamped upon entry to a Schengen country.
April 2026
The roll-out of EES should be complete, although passport stamping won’t stop until the biometric system is working without hitches.
Autumn 2026
While the EU says “Etias is expected to follow in the last quarter of 2026,” there’s no guarantee when it will be implemented. Regardless, it will be optional for countries for the first six months after it becomes operational.