The EU has pushed back its plans to launch its new entry-exit system (EES) in May, citing contracting delays.

The EES is one of two separate border regimes the EU had planned to introduce this year, along with Etias – the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. The purpose of the EES is to automatically register travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries when they cross an external EU border.

The system will register travellers’ names, type of travel document, biometric data (finger prints and facial images), and the date and place of both entry into and exit from the bloc. In addition, the system will digitally track the number of days non-EU citizens spend in the union to ensure people do not overstay the permitted 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area.

Registrations will remain valid for three years.

Etias, meanwhile, is comparable with the US Esta visa waiver regime, and is likely to be charged at €7. Travellers under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, will not have to pay the fee. In contrast to the US Esta regime, Etias waivers will be valid for three years rather than two.

The EES has originally been due to be introduced in 2022; this was pushed back to May 2023. However, the EU last week signalled the system would now be introduced by the end of 2023.

At a meeting of the eu-LISA management board in Tallinn last week, it was agreed the May 2023 target "was considered no longer achievable due to delays from the contractors". A revised timeline will be published in March, although the management board said stakeholders should continue to prepare for a target launch date "within the end of 2023".

"In particular, border crossing points should be fully equipped for the use of the Entry/Exit System by the end of the year," read a summary of the meeting.

Etias had been due to be introduced last year, but is now scheduled to be operational by November 2023.

The delays were noted in a House of Commons Library update published to the parliament.uk website on Tuesday (17 January).

The EES has already caused some considerable worry and consternation for the UK government, compounded by the delays seen at ports last summer during the first significant post-pandemic getaway.

‘Widespread concern’

Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister last September identified the port as a potential pinchpoint, forecasting checks taking up to 10 minutes per car of four people subject to the technology used to implement and operate the EES.

Bannister said if getting through the border took longer than it did when he spoke late last September, the UK would likely see "more congestion events" than there were during summer 2022.

This stance was echoed by Abta’s director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge, who told the House of Lords European Affairs committee there was "pretty widespread concern" across the UK travel industry the introduction of the EU EES would result in "dramatic increases" in processing times for UK tourists.

Commenting on the latest delay, Petherbridge said: "We’re continuing to follow developments closely. What will be really important, once a launch date is finalised, is clear information is provided to the public so they know what they need to do, as well as good engagement with the industry in advance."