The Schengen-area Entry/Exit System (EES) will commence a 180-day period of gradual introduction on 12 October, the EU has confirmed.
Adoption of that phased rollout was put forward after a last-minute postponement of the previously planned start of 10 November 2024. A late pause followed indication from some states – including France – that they were not ready. The relevant regulation requires all Schengen-area countries to introduce EES simultaneously.
When the system is fully implemented, it will see third country citizens, including those from the UK, submit biometric data in a move that the EU says will improve border security and reduce overstays above the controversial 90-in-180 days limit.
Concern has long been raised by the UK coach industry that EES will lead to delays for outbound vehicles passing through juxtaposed controls at Kent ports to France. It was previously said by the UK Coach Operators Association that introduction outside the peak season was the best option to allow familiarisation with procedures.
Under the gradual Entry/Exit System rollout, different parts of the system – such as collecting biometric data – will be implemented step-by-step, although that approach is not mandatory and member states can introduce the scheme in full on 12 October.
“This means that [during the 180-day period,] travellers’ biometric data (facial image and fingerprints) might not be collected, and their personal information may not be registered on the system. Passports will continue to be stamped as normal,” the EU advises.
Where introduction is phased, member states will work towards a minimum registration of 10% of border crossings after the first month. For the first 60 days they may operate EES without biometrics. After three months states should run it with biometrics at a minimum of 35% of border crossings.
The phased introduction will last to 9 April 2026. From the following day, EES will be fully operational at all external border crossings of the countries using the system.
While a progressive introduction of EES has been on the cards since late-2024, the EU only adopted a law on 18 July that made such a gradual rollout possible. Provisional agreement was reached a month earlier.
That law further allows member states to fully or partially suspend operation of EES at certain border crossings in exceptional circumstances such as when traffic intensity would lead to very long waiting times. After the 180-day progressive introduction, such pauses will be limited to six hours.
Soon after the 10 November 2024 date for introduction was postponed, one party close to the matter suggested that the journey to then had been chaotic, with technology missing and poor integration between EU back-office systems and individual member states.
At the same time, the Port of Dover said it was doing all it could to make checks of outgoing coaches as straightforward as possible. Guidance around EES on the gov.uk website states that the Port of Dover “will have 24 kiosks for coach passengers.”
