EU Delays Entry/Exit System Launch Again Amid Readiness Issues from Key Countries

The European Union has once again postponed the implementation of its new Entry/Exit System (EES), which had been scheduled to launch on November 10 this year. The news was confirmed by Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson during a meeting of EU interior ministers on Thursday.

Commissioner Johansson announced that the November 10 launch date is no longer viable, citing concerns from Germany, France, and the Netherlands. The three countries have expressed that their border control computer systems will not be ready in time to implement the EES as planned.

"The November 10 launch date is no longer on the table," Johansson stated, further explaining that the situation is dependent on these key countries' readiness. She acknowledged that Germany, France, and the Netherlands, which together account for a significant portion of affected passenger traffic, cannot meet the deadline due to delays in the required central system, which is being provided by EU-Lisa.

Johansson expressed her concerns about the delay but remained hopeful that the EU could move forward with the EES as soon as possible. However, she clarified that no new timeline has been established yet. "I hope we can start as soon as possible, but there’s no new timeline so far. This also depends on the legal assessment that we will do, and we’re working on it right now," she said during the meeting.

As a potential solution, Johansson mentioned that the EU is now considering a phased-in approach for the EES launch. Nevertheless, she stressed that even if the system is rolled out gradually, it will not begin on November 10, 2024.

A spokesperson from the German Interior Ministry had previously disclosed that Germany, France, and the Netherlands, which collectively represent around 40 percent of the affected passenger traffic, are not ready for the EES due to the absence of the necessary central system from EU-Lisa.

The Entry/Exit System, which has faced multiple delays, is designed to modernize border control across the Schengen Area by replacing traditional passport stamping with an automated IT system. Once implemented, the system will require all foreign travelers entering the Schengen Area for short stays—regardless of whether they need a visa or not—to register by providing biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints, along with other personal information.

This data will be stored securely for a period of three years and will be used to track travelers entering and exiting the Schengen Area. The system aims to prevent irregular migration, identify individuals using fake identities, and detect those who overstay their permitted duration of stay, among other security measures.

The EES is expected to impact around 700 million travelers to the EU each year and is anticipated to streamline the travel process once the registration system is fully in place. However, with this latest delay and the uncertainty surrounding its implementation timeline, the benefits of the EES remain on hold for now.

By fLEXI tEAM