The European Union has again delayed introducing the Entry Exit System (EES) biometric initiative for non-EU citizens at all EU borders after a number of countries said their systems were not ready for deployment.
EES was due to go live on November 10, 2024, after being delayed from 2002 and then twice again in 2023. Instead, a phased approach will be carried out, with further details expected in the coming weeks.
EES requires travelers to scan their passports or other travel documents at an automated self-service kiosk prior to crossing the border. The system will register the traveler’s name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit.
The UK House of Commons said that work is being undertaken in the EU on an online pre-registration process to minimize potential delays and problems at the UK border, but the app for this was not expected to be ready for the planned launch in late 2024. UK parliamentary committees were among those calling for EES to be delayed until this was ready.
Earlier this year, ABTA published guidance on EES as well as the European Travel Information and Authorisation System known as ETIAS. Read more about it here.