The start date for the European Entry-Exit System (EES) has been pushed back again after the EU admitted systems were not ready. The EES will apply to all UK citizens entering the EU.

The travel industry had forecast lengthy queues at EU airports and the UK Eurostar terminal and Dover ferry port, where biometric registration will take place.

In the past few days, travel firms have raised concerns about a lack of information being shared ahead of the roll-out. New Tui UK boss Neil Swanson told TTG he would like UK government to be "doing more" to help the travel sector prepare. 

Now the start of checks has been delayed after several countries said they did not have the technology in place.

EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson said it would now be phased in.

"It’s clear that we’re not going to be ready for the 10 November," Johansson told the BBC, adding: "We will be going for a phased approach, step by step."

EES was meant to be introduced in 2022. It was rescheduled for May 2023 and then late 2023, before the latest deadline was set.

The latest delay means many travellers will now undergo EES registration when they depart for their summer 2025 break.

This will be in tandem with the need to register for the EU’s Etias visa waiver scheme, which the EU says will be introduced “in the first half of 2025”.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive, said the delay meant “a huge sigh of relief” for the travel industry.

“Right now, there is very limited public awareness of what this means for anyone expecting to travel to Europe from outside the EU and as we get closer to launch date and key travel periods clear and transparent communication will be vital.

“When a new launch date is announced and the EU are considering the roll-out of the system, they should be confident that it remains fit for purpose for the number of non-EUs travelling through the bloc and not simply another burden for travellers.”
 
Abta’s director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “It is good to know the full implementation of EES is no longer expected in November, as the industry had been left in limbo waiting for news on when it will start.

“We do still need urgent confirmation and clarification on the next steps of EES; it’s difficult to talk to a customer about a new system without knowing if it will actually be in place for their trip.”