The European Commission has again delayed the debut of its Entry/Exit System (EES) that was to be introduced on Nov. 10.
No new date was announced for startup of the system, which is intended to use biometric identification in processing border movements, phasing out the use of passport stamps. The system would also track visa overstays.
Major countries within the European Union that would be responsible for 40% of use of the new system reportedly said they were not ready to begin using it.
EES would cover all non-EU nationals entering the 27-country Schengen Area.
First targeted for activation in 2022, the launch of EES has been postponed at least three times.
The longer-term purpose of EES is to lay the groundwork for the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which had been expected to launch sometime during the first half of 2025.
Visitors from visa-free countries, including the U.S., would pay 7 euros for travel authorization. ETIAS would be linked to a traveler’s passport, valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first.
