The European Union has announced yet another delay in the implementation of its biometric check system for non-EU citizens at its borders. Initially slated for launch on November 10, the rollout has been postponed once again as Germany, France, and the Netherlands reported that their respective systems are not yet prepared.
Sources indicate that there has been no live testing of the EU’s software on the UK’s border systems, raising additional concerns about the readiness of the program. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has confirmed that there is currently no new timetable for implementation, emphasizing that the rollout will occur in phases.
“It’s clear that we’re not going to be ready for the November 10 deadline,” Johansson stated, adding that a gradual, step-by-step approach will be taken moving forward.
This delay marks the latest setback for the Entry Exit System (EES), which was originally intended for introduction in 2022. Under this system, non-EU citizens, including travelers from the UK, will be required to provide biometric data at EU borders instead of having their passports stamped. The goal is to establish a digital connection between passports and biometric information, with passengers using handheld devices to register their details in their vehicles.
The EES will be applicable at various entry points, including roads, airports, ports, train stations—including Eurostar services—and all other external borders of the EU. The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council is scheduled to convene next week to discuss the future of the EES rollout.
A German interior ministry spokesperson indicated that the three countries involved are not ready for the system’s implementation because the EU agency responsible, EU-Lisa, has not yet stabilized the required software. Likewise, the French interior ministry stressed the importance of proper preparation for the EES.
Earlier this month, a spokesperson for the European Commission acknowledged the complexity involved in deploying a system like the EES and noted that delays are a possibility. Originally scheduled to commence operations in 2022, the system has faced multiple delays, with rescheduled dates including May 2023, the end of 2023, and now the tentative projection for November 2024.
