Europe's EES & ETIAS launch delayed again: Here's why

The European Union (EU) has once again delayed the launch of its Entry/Exit System (EES), a new digital border system. Originally planned for 2022, the system has now been postponed several times. The latest update suggests it will be ready by October 2025, but this depends on whether everything goes as planned.

EU officials discussed the delays and next steps in a meeting led by the LIBE group, which is responsible for the project in the European Parliament. Representatives from the European Parliament, the European Council, the European Commission, and eu-LISA (the agency managing the project) attended the meeting.

Many EU countries are still installing biometric infrastructure, training border officials, and addressing data security regulations. eu-LISA, the agency managing the project, has faced integration difficulties, leading to further setbacks.

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So, when will EES start?

The Europe EES is now expected to start in October 2025, if everything goes as planned.

However, instead of launching all at once, EU officials are proposing a "gradual rollout" over six months. This means:

• The initial phase may begin in October or November 2025.

• Border officials will have time to test the system before full implementation.

• Airports, ports, and train stations will have time to adjust their facilities.

• Travelers will have time to understand and get used to the new process.

How does this affect the ETIAS start date?

The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is another new travel system the EU is working on. It will require visa-exempt travelers (such as those from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia) to get an electronic travel authorization before entering the EU.

Originally, ETIAS was supposed to launch six months after EES. Since the EES has been delayed, ETIAS is now expected to launch in March or April 2026.

However, if the EES rollout is delayed again, the ETIAS launch could also be pushed further.

Want to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about the Schengen ETIAS.

EU countries are working to prepare for the EES

Despite the delays, many EU countries are already making preparations:

• France has installed biometric kiosks at major airports.

• Spain and Italy are upgrading their automated passport control systems.

• Germany and the Netherlands are focusing on training border officers and raising public awareness.

However, some smaller EU countries still lack resources and might need extra EU funding to fully implement Europe EES.

What happens next?

The next major milestone will be mid-2025, when EU countries must confirm whether they are ready for EES. If everything goes well:

• June-July 2025 – EU officials will confirm that all countries are ready.

• October-November 2025 – EES will launch progressively over six months.

• March-April 2026 – ETIAS will launch if EES is fully operational.

For now, travelers should stay updated on any further changes to these timelines. The EES and ETIAS will significantly change how non-EU travelers enter Europe, so it is important to be prepared.

Will EES finally launch in 2025?

It depends on how well the EU can handle the remaining technical, legal, and logistical challenges. For now, officials remain cautiously optimistic that the system will be ready next year.

Will ETIAS launch in 2025?

Since ETIAS depends on the EES, it can only start six months after EES becomes operational. With the latest EES delay pushing its launch to October 2025, ETIAS is now expected to launch in March or April 2026.