European Commission Proposes Six-month Timeline for Phased EES Rollout

The European Commission has announced a phased strategy for the introduction of the new biometric Entry-Exit System (EES), after the system’s full rollout was postponed yet again in November. The EES, which aims to record and verify the identity of non-EU travelers by collecting biometric data including fingerprints and facial scans, has been delayed multiple times due to concerns about infrastructure readiness and potential travel disruptions. The system had originally been slated to launch on November 10th, but the Commission decided it was not yet feasible because it “had not yet received the required declarations of readiness from all member states.”

Under the new proposal, EU member states will have six months to gradually implement the EES once it formally begins, though no exact start date has been provided. According to a note issued by the Commission, “all member states will start operating the EES from day one at one or more border crossing points,” initially processing at least 10 percent of estimated border crossings. This figure is to rise to 50 percent within 90 days. To minimize disruptions, passport stamping will remain mandatory until the end of the six-month period for all travelers subject to EES checks.

The regulation allows for flexibility: countries that are fully ready can implement EES at all their border crossings immediately, while others can scale up their capacity over the allotted six-month period. The Commission has also included a “safety valve” by allowing temporary suspensions of the system if unforeseen technical failures occur, causing backlogs. In addition, the first 60 days of the system’s introduction will allow registration without collecting biometric data, giving border officials time to adjust to new procedures.

One of the greatest concerns stems from potential queues at busy UK-France crossing points, such as the Port of Dover, where post-Brexit checks have already resulted in long waiting times. Although EU citizens and residents are exempt from EES registration, they may still face delays caused by newly implemented checks for non-EU nationals. After EES has been in place for six months, the EU intends to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), requiring non-EU visitors to the Schengen area to register and pay €7 before traveling. Discussions on the final timeline for ETIAS will take place in the coming months, with the Commission, member states, and the EU’s IT agency eu-LISA adjusting schedules based on EES’s eventual launch date.

The delays in implementing the EES reflect the complexity of introducing wide-scale tech systems across a large region. While these systems aim to enhance security and streamline border control, their initial implementation may cause disruptions. The progressive approach to deploying the EES and the upcoming ETIAS system are designed to mitigate these challenges and ensure smoother travel experiences in the long term. This effort is part of the EU’s broader digital initiatives, such as the proposed Digital Travel application for modernizing border control.

Source: The Local

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December 6, 2024 – by Ji-seo Kim