I ask and answer why the EU’s entry/exit system (EES, and ETIAS too) has been delayed yet again after three previous delays.

If you’d prefer to watch the video, click the pic below

Let’s dive straight in. 

First of all, here’s the news. The EU’s long awaited Entry Exit system has been delayed yet again.
It was supposed to be happening on November the 10th, and then again in 2023
But then they announced they would definitely be ready by November the 10th 2024. Everyone was really looking forward to it, But now they’ve delayed the launch again! Indefinitely!

They’ve decided not to set a timeline this time, although they’re hoping for ‘as soon as possible’.

So what’s gone wrong?

Apparently, Germany, France and the Netherlands have said their machines aren’t ready for deployment yet, so they won’t be ready in time. 

Why not?

Well, according to the EU’s Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said there were ‘some concerns when it comes to the resilience of the system’. 

But she did say what they might try and do is phase in the system step-by-step, rather than having what she called ‘a Big Bang of all border crossing posts at the same time’.

That sounds like it would cause more problems than it’s worth.

Well, there’d certainly be legal problems for a start, they’d have to amend some of the current regulations to make it happen, and you know how long it can take to do that and get agreements from every EU country.

So they’re not starting anything on November 10th then?

No, not even a gradual roll out. 

What about the border control people who’ve presumably been training for ages for it all to happen?

They’ll just carry on with what they’ve been doing.

But it can’t be good for everyone to be uncertain of what’s going on, can it?

No, but equally, it would be worse for them to start it up when the system isn’t ready in Germany, France and Holland, which accounts for about 40% of passenger traffic in the area.

So what does it mean for non-EU citizens like people from the UK?

It means, carry on, as you were, stiff upper lip, blame Johnny foreigner and complain about how it’s going to ruin your holiday even though nothing’s happening yet!

Alright then. Is there anyone else we should blame?

Well, you could have a go at EU-Lisa.

Who’s she?

She’s not a she, it’s an EU agency that manages large scale IT systems for security and justice. 

Ah I see, blame the IT department. Can’t they just turn it off and back on again?

Well, you never know, it usually works, but probably not on something so big and complicated.

What’s the problem then?

Not every border has the same programs and systems in place at the moment, so integrating a new system into all of those other systems so that they all work the same in real time and are able to cope with huge numbers of people travelling at the same time, has created huge technical challenges. 

So it’s back to passport stamping then?

I’m afraid so. It’s not very efficient and there are still gaps in security, and there are other problems for the EU to worry about. 

Like what?

Well, these problems with implementing a whole new system could have an effect on the EU’s immigration policy. It really highlights the difficulties in quickly co-ordinating big changes across the member states. 

We’ll have to wait and see what happens then.

Any more questions?

Yes. What’s happening with ETIAS?

Nothing can happen with ETIAS until the EES is up and running. 

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Article by Skatz

Report on the ETIAS website:

https://etias.com/articles/eu-entry/exit-system-launch-delayed-again