EU Sets October Border System Rollout, Pushes ETIAS to 2026

The European Union has officially scheduled the launch of its Entry/Exit System (EES) for October 12, 2025. The system, designed to modernize Schengen Area border checks, will automate the process of tracking non-EU visitors.

EES will replace manual passport stamping, collecting biometric data and travel details from non-EU nationals visiting for short stays. This move is aimed at tightening border security, catching overstayers, and speeding up entry procedures.

However, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), initially expected to roll out alongside EES, has been pushed back to late 2026. ETIAS will mandate travel authorization for visa-exempt travellers before entering the EU.

The EES rollout will occur in phases over 180 days, starting with limited border points before full deployment across the Schengen Area. Biometric data, including fingerprints and facial scans, will be collected gradually.

Once launched, ETIAS will apply to visitors from visa-free countries like the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan. It will involve an online application, valid for three years or until passport expiry, and originally carried a €7 fee—though this is expected to rise to around €20 due to increased operational costs.

To ease the transition, the EU is considering a two-step adaptation phase: a six-month grace period during which travellers can enter without ETIAS, followed by another six-month period in which first-time visitors may still be allowed entry without the new authorization.