British tourists warned of major change coming as EU tries to overhaul border control

December 13, 2024
A man handing his British passport to a border guard

The Entry/Exit System (EES), whose introduction would result in significant changes for UK travelers crossing the EU border, appears to be headed for another attempt by Brussels.

The EES was supposed to go live in November, but some EU member states said they weren't prepared, therefore the rollout was postponed.

A progressive start of operations for the EES, which will effectively be a new digital border system that affects non-EU citizens, was recommended by the European Commission on December 4.

The Commission hasn't yet set a new date for the rollout, but once it is set, the EU member states will have six months to deploy the system.

The system is set to begin in 2025 - nine years after the EES was originally proposed.

Travellers need to know that the EES is an automated registration system for UK and other non-EU travellers who do not need a visa to enter the EU.

The EES will require travellers to scan their passports each time they cross an EU external border. This system is meant to speed up border control - but it is feared it may lead to delays following its rollout, as tourists are required to provide their biometric information the first time they use the EES.

It is being implemented to increase security between borders and identify travellers who overstay their permitted time in the Schengen Area.

The system will apply to non-EU citizens, including Brits, who come to the area in Europe.

Ylva Johannson, the EU's former home affairs commissioner, said: "With the EES, we will know exactly who enters the Schengen Area with a foreign passport."

So far, the EES has faced long delays but it now appears that the scheme is likely to be put into use in 2025.

Delays have taken place due to lack of testing, IT issues and some countries which have voiced concerns.