Revised timeline for the EES and ETIAS

On 5 March, EU Home Affairs Ministers endorsed a revised timeline for the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The EES is expected to become operational in October 2025. ETIAS is expected to follow in the last quarter of 2026.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system. The EES will modernise border management of the Schengen countries, gradually simplify border controls and prevent identity fraud. ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for non-EU visa-free nationals.

General Approach on the progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System

At the same time, on 5 March EU Home Affairs Ministers endorsed Council’s General Approach on a progressive start of operations of the EES. Once adopted by the co-legislators, 29 European countries will gradually introduce the EES over a period of six months. This would give border authorities and the transport industry more time to adjust to the new procedures.

Next Steps

Once the Regulation on the progressive start of operations of the EES is adopted and the remaining Member States declare readiness, the Commission will decide on the specific date of the progressive start of the EES, guided by the timeline endorsed by the Home Affairs Ministers on 5 March.

Find out more:

JHA council 5 March 2025 main results