EU Postpones Launch of New Electronic Border Check System

BRUSSELS—The European Commission has announced a delay in the rollout of its highly anticipated Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated border control system for short-stay travelers initially slated to launch on November 10. The decision was revealed by Ylva Johansson, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, after a meeting with EU interior ministers.

The postponement comes after Germany, France, and the Netherlands indicated they were not prepared for the system's implementation. Commissioner Johansson, addressing reporters, stated that the November 10 date is "no longer on the table" and emphasized that a new launch timeline remains uncertain, pending further legal assessments.

"There are some concerns regarding the system's resilience," Johansson noted. She proposed a potential phased introduction as an alternative to an immediate, all-encompassing deployment, though she conceded that this approach would require legal modifications to current regulations. Regardless, the gradual rollout will not commence on the originally planned date.

The Entry/Exit System, a significant reform dating back to 2016, aims to enhance border security by replacing the physical stamping of passports with electronic data collection at the EU's external borders. The system targets non-EU citizens visiting the bloc for short periods, such as holidays or business trips, allowing up to 90 days' stay within a 180-day period.

Upon implementation, travelers will present their passports on arrival, undergo facial photography, and have their fingerprints electronically scanned. All movements in and out of the Schengen Area will be digitally recorded. The system is designed to prevent visa overstays and combat identity fraud through the use of biometric data and real-time information sharing.

The scheme is set to include all EU member states except Cyprus and Ireland, alongside the four Schengen-associated countries—Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland—while Cyprus and Ireland will maintain manual passport stamping procedures.