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EU's new entry/exit system has had a shaky start. Here’s what travellers need to know - EURONEWS
The EU’s long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) for non-EU nationals began being phased in last October.
The gradual scale-up of the biometric border technology has already experienced teething problems, causing significant delays for air passengers.
A survey by Holiday Extras last year found that 82 per cent of respondents were unclear as to how the new EES will impact trips, with 35 per cent unaware that the new rules come this weekend.
Nearly one in five holidaymakers has already changed or cancelled travel plans, with many citing worries about border delays.
If you are due to travel to the EU soon, here's how you can prepare to make the process easier.
Will the EES be in place at all airports this summer?
The EES is being introduced to bolster border security and identify travellers who overstay their permitted time in the Schengen Area (90 days within a 180-day period).
The new system requires Europe's border crossings to have dedicated infrastructure installed, a process which has proved complicated.
Many airports now have this technology in place, which means visa-exempt travellers from the UK, US and other non-EU countries must register their biometric data at dedicated kiosks.
Initially, the threshold for EU countries to register third-country arrivals was set at only 10 per cent. From 9 January 2026, this increased to 35 per cent.
