Timing for launch of EES app at French borders outlined

The new phone app developed to help speed up the EES digital borders system is to be ‘piloted’ in several major French travel hubs – but not this year.

EU borders agency Frontex says its ‘Travel to Europe’ app is set to “go live in selected travel hubs”, firstly at Arlanda airport in Sweden, this year.

“In parallel, Frontex is planning jointly with Dutch, French and Italian authorities, pilots in selected major entry points in 2026,” it states in a press release. Portugal and Greece have also “expressed interest in the implementation of the app”.

This is the first time it has officially been confirmed that France is interested in using the app. Travel industry insiders had previously told The Connexion this was understood to be the case but French officials have several times told us it was too early to comment. Countries can decide on an individual basis if they will allow the app’s use on their territory.

With regard to entry to France, this will include sites on British soil where French entry checks are done, at Dover port, London St Pancras (Eurostar) and Folkestone (Eurotunnel).

However, this cautious approach may cause some frustration to travel hubs which have been eagerly awaiting the app amid fears that EES will cause long queues.

The EES system itself, which will log entries and exits of non-EU/EEA/Swiss visitors to the Schengen area, has been delayed several times, but is now expected to launch in phases from October 2025 over a six-month period. This method is partly aimed at avoiding the long queues that were feared to be likely if it was implemented in full, at all borders at once.

It is, therefore, possible that the app could be ready to use at French borders by the end of the ‘phasing in’, if the ‘pilots’ are completed rapidly.

The app was reported to be working and ready for states to make final adaptations for their needs in February. It had been hoped it would be ready for the system’s start. 

Frontex ran its own pilot tests on its app last year. 

The app is designed to collect part of travellers’ data prior to their arrival at airports/ferry ports/stations, by then inputting it themselves and clicking to forward the information digitally to border guards.

It is capable of collecting most of the information that passengers will be asked for, including a facial image, however it is not set up to collect the fingerprints of the right hand, which must be taken by a scan on site. Users will still need to pass before a border guard’s booth, at least on the first time of using the system.