How the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) might affect your travels

Ever been to the US? If you’re not a US passport holder and you’ve visited the United States, chances are, you’ve gone through the experience of getting an ESTA. This is the USA’s visa waiver programme, allowing travellers from some countries to holiday in the US without requiring a visa.

You probably didn’t think you’d ever need something similar to hop across to our nearest neighbours…

New rules to be introduced for travel in and out of the European Union

The European Union is planning to introduce new rules for non-EU residents travelling in and out of Europe in an effort to modernise and digitalise border management. They are launching an automated IT system to register non-EU nationals visiting the EU for a short stay, which will include fingerprint scans and facial biometrics. This is being referred to as the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, or EES for short.

EES is part of a broader effort to modernise border controls which will include, in time, the creation of an ESTA like visa waiver programme known as the ‘Electronic Travel Information and Authorisation System’ or ETIAS for short. This scheme will work similarly to ESTA but will cost less (€7) and will be valid for three years.

However, ETIAS will not come into operation until the new Entry/Exist system has been up and running for a minimum of 6 months. This means it’s not likely to impact your travel plans for the next year or so.

So what’s happening now?

As of right now, nothing. Originally slated to come into place in November, EES has been delayed. The latest announcement says they will provide an update ‘in the coming weeks’ with a launch date for the new rules. We still don’t know if it’s likely to be in place before the end of 2024.

I’ve got a trip planned for next year - what will it mean for my travel?

Once the EES is up and running, non-EU nationals will be required to ‘register’ the first time they enter or exit the European Union. The registration will include fingerprint scans and/or facial biometrics - it’s still unclear as to whether travellers will be required to provide both upon registry.

This initial registration will happen wherever your point of entry is to the European Union. If the rules come into place while you are in the EU, your data will be registered as you exit and return to the UK.

In theory, you should only have to go through this process one time. Once your data is electronically registered with the EES, you can go in and out of the European Union without the need to re-register.

Why is the EU doing this?

The European Union presents a number of benefits to the Entry/Exist system. The modernisation of border management is intended to make the process smoother for travellers in the future through real-time data sharing. They also believe it will prevent overstayers in Europe and effectively combat identity fraud.

How can I keep up to date with developments and the impact on my travel plans?

Most of the UK national media are covering this story in their travel pages as it develops and sharing up to date information when they receive it. You can also check the EU website for updates or the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office who are doing what they can to answer traveller questions as information becomes available.