EU Delays the Introduction of the Entry/Exit System
Friday, October 11th, 2024
The long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to automate the registration of non-EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen Area, has faced yet another setback. Originally scheduled for launch in 2022, the system was postponed several times before the European Commission announced a further delay to its November 2024 launch date. This decision follows a meeting of EU interior ministers on the 10th of October 2024.
Reasons for the Delay
The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, confirmed the delay, citing that major EU nations such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands have reported that their systems are not yet ready to support the EES. This postponement is the latest in a series of delays that have hindered the rollout of the system. Since its initial planned launch in 2022, EES has encountered numerous challenges, ranging from technical problems to the need for physical infrastructure upgrades at border points.
One key issue has been the installation of automated barriers at international land, maritime, and air borders. In particular, several airports revealed they needed to strengthen their floors to handle the weight of the scanners that passengers must pass through under the new system.
Persistent Technical Issues
Another significant problem behind the delay is related to IT integration. Specifically, issues have arisen with the interface between eu-LISA (the European agency responsible for managing large-scale IT systems in security and justice) and the national IT systems of individual EU member states. Unresolved technical difficulties are believed to be a key reason the launch has been postponed once again.
Commissioner Johansson commented on the situation, saying, “I hope we can start as soon as possible, but there’s no new timeline so far.” She also mentioned concerns about the resilience of the system in its current state.
Possible Phased Introduction
Although there have been suggestions to phase in the EES gradually at different border points rather than rolling it out across the entire Schengen Area simultaneously, this option is not currently permitted under EU law. Any such change would require amendments to the current regulations. Therefore, the previously scheduled date of the 10th of November 2024 is not achievable even for a phased introduction.
Next Steps for the EES Rollout
The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council is scheduled to meet next week to discuss the future of the EES and consider potential solutions to the current challenges. Until the technical and infrastructure issues are resolved, it remains unclear when the EES will finally be operational.
The repeated delays highlight the complexities of implementing such a large-scale system and underscore the importance of ensuring all EU member states are adequately prepared before it can be launched.
Further Information
Featured image courtesy of Ekaterina Belinskaya – Pexels