Rollout of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) in Schengen area countries will be undertaken via a “progressive” approach across a 180-day period starting in 2025. It will allow countries to introduce EES gradually while enabling others to start operations fully from day one.
Such a tactic is detailed in a proposed regulation laid by the European Commission (EC) in early December. It comes after multiple delays to the troubled EES, which was most recently intended to be introduced in November but was postponed at a late stage.
EES will require collection of biometric data from citizens of third countries including the UK entering the Schengen area. Its potential impact on coach operations at the Port of Dover has drawn worry from that sector, with fears of long delays in carrying out the necessary tasks for outbound journeys at juxtaposed border controls.
Parties in the coach industry have called for clarity on the introduction, while some pointing out that postponement of necessary measures into the peak season for overseas travel could lead to greater problems.
Under the revised approach, member states will begin with a minimum registration of 10% of estimated border crossings, reaching 100% (and thus full introduction) by the end of the six-month progressive period.
A date for commencement of that will be set once the proposed regulation is adopted. Specific milestones for what must be achieved during the progressive period are laid down in article 4.
The proposed regulation notes that despite “significant efforts,” it was not possible to launch EES in Q4 2024 as expected. Certain member states indicated that they were not able to do so, with France said to be among those.
Saliently, the proposed regulation adds that “a full start of operations overnight constitutes a risk factor for the resilience of a complex IT system, such as the EES Central System.” That is particularly the case at locations where existing infrastructure, a lack of space or other constraints “already pose challenges,” as is the case at Dover.
At times of peak travel or technical problems during the 180-day progressive spell, member states will be able to suspend the Entry/Exit System fully or partially for a short period of time. That mechanism will remain in exceptional circumstances “for a limited period” after full operation starts.
Each member state and the eu-LISA agency will set progressive rollout plans. Under the approach, transport operators will “have more time to adjust to the new procedures” and travellers will “progressively experience improved and more efficient digital border checks, automated procedures and reduced waiting times at the borders,” the EC says.
