From ferry companies to flight-free travel agents, there is confusion and scepticism about the new scheme. After being delayed for years, the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to come into force this autumn. Brits and other ‘third-country’ holidaymakers will need to register their arrival and departure from EU and Schengen Area countries by having their photo and fingerprints taken at passport control.
This will replace the manual passport stamp. But many travellers remain about how the system - and the follow up European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) due in mid-2025 - will work. Euronews Travel spoke to travel bodies, agents and experts to find out what advice they are giving their customers ahead of the slated launch.
A number of major travel agents told Euronews Travel that they are yet to receive questions or official guidance on the . But travel trade association ABTA has already published tips and advice for planning and booking a holiday under the new system. Despite that the scheme is set to come into force on 5 October 2024, an ABTA spokesperson emphasised that the exact launch dates for both EES and ETIAS have not yet been confirmed.
This uncertainty has led to scepticism among some . “We are giving no advice at all as we are waiting to see if the scheme actually goes ahead,” says Noel Josephides, chairman of UK travel agent Sunvil. Likely due to a lack of awareness among the public, he says Sunvil has only received one comment.
