The European Union has officially confirmed the delay in the launch of two major border management systems: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit System (EES). Originally planned to launch in late 2024, the implementation of both systems has now been postponed, with ETIAS expected to begin no earlier than Q2 2025.
The Entry/Exit System, which aims to monitor the movement of non-EU nationals across Schengen Area borders, will be introduced gradually over a 180-day period. During this phased rollout, only a small percentage of border crossings will require registration, with this number increasing until the system is fully operational. This staged approach also includes the progressive introduction of biometric data collection at border crossings. However, EU authorities have yet to clarify the exact start date for the system, leaving many questions unanswered.
The decision to delay the rollout was made after several member states, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, announced they would not be ready to implement the system by the original November 2024 deadline. As a result, the phased implementation of EES is now expected to take place throughout 2025.
Meanwhile, ETIAS, which aims to streamline travel authorizations for non-EU citizens entering the Schengen Zone, remains on track for a provisional launch in Q2 2025. The system has experienced multiple delays, largely due to its dependence on the readiness of the EES infrastructure.
The EU’s ongoing delays in these projects have raised concerns, particularly for the tourism and travel industries, which have been anticipating the implementation of these systems as part of the bloc’s broader efforts to enhance border security and efficiency. The postponements also highlight the technical challenges involved in the implementation of large-scale, interconnected border management systems across multiple countries.
The European Commission and the EU Council have assured the public that they are working to resolve the technical issues and will provide further updates on the progress of both systems in the coming months.
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