The so-called Entry/Exit System (EES), was initially imagined to kick in final November however was pushed again on the final minute as a number of international locations weren’t prepared.
The EES will file guests’ date of entry and exit and maintain observe of overstays and refused entries.
Travellers may have particulars and biometric information— facial photographs and fingerprints— collected.
The system’s introduction has raised fears of queues and longer ready occasions for individuals travelling to Europe on trains, ferries and planes.
In March, member states agreed on a phased roll out, which the European Commission stated Wednesday will start on October 12.
“This will strengthen security… by helping us identify overstayers, prevent irregular movements, and reduce document and identity fraud,” stated Magnus Brunner, the commissioner for migration.
First agreed on in 2017, the automated system will probably be used within the EU’s 27 international locations except for Ireland and Cyprus.
Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which aren’t EU members however are a part of the Schengen free motion space, can even apply it.
The fee stated that travellers “can expect information campaigns” at airports and different border crossings throughout the EU within the months main as much as the launch.
“With a six-month rollout, member states, travellers, and businesses will have the time to adjust to the new system,” Brunner stated.
Under the phased rollout, member states ought to ramp up in direction of working the system at half of border crossing factors after three months and have it totally deployed by six months.
“EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts,” Britain’s Foreign Office stated in a journey replace.
Published – July 30, 2025 09:38 pm IST
