EU reveals (latest) start date for EES biometric passport checks
According to
the latest European Commission report
, the system will come into effect on October 12th, 2025.
However due to concerns about readiness, the introduction will be phased, with the system set to become compulsory at all the EU/Schengen zone's entry and exit points within six months of that date - taking us to April 2026.
The EES website tells travellers: "European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means your data may not be collected at every border crossing point right away."
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There had been concerns about readiness, especially at the busy UK-France crossing, where bosses at the Port of Dover had warned of long delays.
This will be followed by the introduction of the ETIAS travel authorisation which is currently set for the final quarter of 2026.
As
The Local reported last week
, the initial €7 fee for the ETIAS travel authorisation will now be €20.
Remind me, what's EES again?
The Entry & Exit System is basically an enhanced passport check in which travellers will have to provide fingerprints and a facial scan.
The purpose of the system is twofold: to increase border security via tougher passport controls and to digitise travellers' entry and exit dates from the Schengen zone, to automatically calculate the 90-day allowance for visa-free travel that citizens of non-EU countries including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia benefit from.
These checks will only occur when entering or leaving the Schengen zone, and will not be required when travelling within the zone, eg from France to Germany.
Only those travelling on a non-EU passport are required to use the EES system, and there are also exemptions for non-EU citizens resident of an EU or Schengen zone country.
Find full details
here
.
And what's ETIAS?
ETIAS is a travel authorisation that is required for people travelling on non-EU passports who are making short visits to the EU/Schengen zone - this will mostly affect tourists, but also those paying short visits including family visits. Second-home owners who do not have a visa will be required to have an ETIAS authorisation.
Anyone who is travelling to the EU with a visa is not required to get an ETIAS authorisation.The authorisation must be applied for online in advance of travel - the system is essentially the same as the US Esta visa or the UK's new ETA.
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The ETIAS costs €20 and is then valid for three years. Under 18s and over 70s are exempt from the fee.
Find full details
here
.
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Advertisement Will it be required everywhere after October 12th? Due to concerns about delays and readiness, the European Commission has opted for a phased introduction for this, aiming for full implementation within six months (so by April 2026). So it's not a big bang roll out at every port and airport. During the introduction phase it will be up to each country to choose which ports/airports/stations that will enforce EES, although they must have a certain percentage of entry points using the system. There will also be the option for ports to pause EES checks in the event of long queues, something projected to be a particular problem at the border. ETIAS After EES comes ETIAS, its current start date is the final quarter of 2026 (so between October and December), but it won't be introduced until EES is fully up and running, so any further delays to that will effect ETIAS too. This is different in format to EES - it requires travellers to go online in advance of their trip, fill in a form and pay the €20 fee in order to receive the ETIAS travel authorisation. Once purchased this will last three years (or until you get a new passport) and covers multiple trips. I'm a resident of an EU/Schengen country, am I exempt? Yes. ETIAS is mostly aimed at tourists and visitors - non-EU citizens who live in an EU, EEA or Schengen zone country with a visa or residency permit are exempt. Simply show your passport and visa/residency permit at the border, just as you do now. I'm a second-home owner, am I exempt? As with EES, it depends on whether you have a visa or not. Visa-holders are exempt, people travelling under the 90-day allowance are not. I'm only making a weekend trip, am I exempt? No, ETIAS is required for all tourists and visitors to the Schengen zone, even if they are only making a short trip. Advertisement I have a Schengen visa, am I exempt? If you are a national of a country that does not benefit from the 90-day rule for visa free travel then you will need the short-stay visitor visa known as the Schengen visa in order to enter the Bloc. Because you have a visa, you are exempt from ETIAS. The same applies to all other visa holders. I'm a pensioner, am I exempt? If you are over the age of 70 or under the age of 18 you are not exempt from the requirement for an ETIAS visa waiver, but you are exempt from the fee. Simply fill out the online form and, once you have entered your date of birth, the form will skip the payment section. Can I apply now? No. The ETIAS website is not yet up and running, it is expected to come online a couple of months before the start date (which is, at present, late 2026). Any website which at present is claiming to process ETIAS applications or offering to help you with them is a scam. Advertisement Is this a phased introduction too? Yes, although in a slightly different way to EES. Once ETIAS is introduced, you will still be allowed into the EU without one for the first six months - this is intended as the 'education phase', where those travelling without an ETIAS will be informed of the new requirements, but won't be blocked from entering the EU. Only after spring 2027 (if all goes according to plan) will people start to be turned back at the border if they don't have an ETIAS. Still confused? Put your questions in the comment section below and we will do our best to answer them
