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EU’s Entry/Exit System Set for Autumn 2025 Rollout, Phased Implementation Planned – Image Credit Unsplash
- The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now anticipated to be implemented in Autumn 2025, following a phased approach.
- The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch six months after EES, likely in Q4 2026.
The European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to go live in Autumn 2025, following a delay from its initial November 2024 launch. The initial launch was postponed as not all countries were prepared to implement the system simultaneously. As a result, the European Commission proposed a phased implementation, allowing member states to roll out EES at their own pace.
The member states have now agreed on this phased approach, requiring that at least 10% of external border crossing points must be operational at the start of the rollout. This percentage is expected to expand to 50% within three months, reaching 100% within six months from the launch date. However, this plan can only be finalized once the related legislation currently in Parliament is adopted through the EU’s legislative process, which is expected to be completed by June.
Member states will also have the flexibility to adjust the plan as needed or in response to exceptional circumstances, such as excessive waiting times. In such cases, they may temporarily suspend fully or partially operations. In the latter scenario, biometric data registration would be paused for a set period.
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch six months after EES, likely in Q4 2026. However, the exact timeline is difficult to predict as ETIAS’s functionality depends on EES’s successful operation.
Travel businesses are advised to understand the implications of EES for their operations and customers. Communication strategies should also be considered, as not all locations will implement EES simultaneously. To support businesses, ABTA has updated its online advice to reflect the new EES target date and continues to monitor developments and liaise with relevant authorities.
