Over the past decade, the European Union countries have been striving to streamline border processes for non-European travelers, introducing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) as an online security screening with a seven-euro fee every three years for visa-exempt passport holders.
Similar to the U.S. ESTA, ETIAS faced delays in implementation, particularly with the Entry-Exit System (EES), designed to digitally track entry and exit using fingerprints instead of passport stamps.
The EES rollout, initially planned for 2023, is now scheduled for October 6, 2024, due to pandemic-related disruptions and logistical challenges across 27 borders.
Despite France’s request to postpone until after the 2024 Summer Olympics, the EES implementation is confirmed for October 2024.
Delays also affected the broader ETIAS, now pushed to mid-2025 due to incomplete software and traveler database.
Travelers passing through EU airports from October 6 onwards must register fingerprints and facial data, raising concerns about technology installation challenges and potential airport slowdowns, especially considering the post-pandemic travel surge.
The system’s implementation extends to crossings from the United Kingdom after its formal departure from the EU in 2020, with data collected including name, travel document type, biometric data, and entry/exit details, ensuring compliance with fundamental rights and data protection.
