After numerous delays, a new timeline for the post-Brexit EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has been announced.
The EES was initially set to launch in 2022, then rescheduled for May 2023, before being further delayed to late last year. Despite these setbacks, the system is now expected to roll out this autumn. However, many British adults remain unaware of how it will operate.
Fortunately, ABTA – The Travel Association – has outlined how the EES will function in practice.
What exactly is the Entry/Exit System (EES)?
In simple terms, the EES is a new electronic system that will replace the physical passport stamping when crossing borders. It will be implemented by all EU member states except Cyprus and Ireland, where passports will continue to be stamped manually. The four non-Schengen countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – will also participate.
Every entry and exit from participating European countries will be recorded. This means that your movements will be tracked every time you cross a border within or outside the EU or the Schengen Area. Upon arrival, travellers will need to present their passport, take a facial photograph, and have their fingerprints electronically scanned.
Who will the EES apply to once it comes into effect?
The EES will not apply to EU or Schengen Area citizens, who can continue to travel freely within the area. Instead, it will apply to “third-country nationals,” meaning people who are not EU or Schengen citizens, including most travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries. It will affect those travelling for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period) for visits, holidays, or business trips. British passport holders with residency in the EU will be exempt.
In most cases, checks will take place upon arrival in Europe. For those travelling via the Port of Dover or international trains from the UK, these checks will occur before departure, as both British and French border controls are present, meaning no further checks will be needed upon arrival.
What is ETIAS, set to come into effect in 2025?
In 2025, the EU plans to introduce the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a new requirement for travellers to 30 European countries. Ireland will be exempt due to its membership in the Common Travel Area. ETIAS will function similarly to the US ESTA system or the UK’s ETA system.
The ETIAS will need to be applied for before travelling, and will cost €7 for most applicants, with processing times ranging from 30 minutes to 96 hours. It will be valid for three years, allowing multiple trips during that period. Travellers from third countries will need an ETIAS for short stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). However, if you are travelling with a visa or hold a UK passport with EU residency, you will not require an ETIAS.
Sources: Euronews