Confirmed: EU states EES border changes will not start this year
The potential for long Christmas/New Year queues has been averted
A 'November 10 target' date for the scheme to launch had already been missed
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The official website for the EU’s new digital border controls has been updated to confirm that a start date is no longer planned for this year.
The EU had been working towards starting ‘in autumn 2024’ but this had been looking unlikely after a ‘target date’ of November 10 was missed amidst problems with several countries – including France – reporting not yet being technically ready for the launch.
Starting just before the end of year holidays was also thought likely to be unpopular due to the potential for longer border queues at what is expected to be a busy time.
The EU’s official website for the Entry/Exit System now states that new digital border controls are ‘due to start in 2025’.
More news is expected following the next meeting of the European Council’s Justice and Home Affairs Council on December 12.
Read more: EES – what are the next steps for EU’s new digital border checks?
