The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), initially scheduled for launch on November 10, has been postponed due to multiple EU countries, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, not being adequately prepared. This system, which would require all non-EU nationals, including British citizens, to undergo additional biometric checks like fingerprints and facial recognition, aims to monitor and record entry and exit dates to prevent overstays.

Despite these intentions, the readiness across the EU was lacking, prompting Ylva Johansson, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, to delay the implementation following discussions with EU interior ministers.

The reasons for the delay include the lack of live testing of the EES software and concerns over the logistics of implementing such a system smoothly at major border points like the port of Dover, potentially leading to significant delays. There’s currently no new launch date set; however, suggestions have been made about a phased introduction or starting with less stringent requirements to manage the transition without disrupting travel flow.

This development has been met with relief by the travel industry, which had previously warned of chaos at border crossings due to unpreparedness. The EU’s decision reflects ongoing challenges in aligning technology, policy, and operational readiness across member states for such an integrated system.