European Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
March 17, 2026
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Latest status of Entry/Exit System (EES)
February 23, 2026: As already foreseen in the regulation implementing the progressive rollout, even after the April 2026 full commencement, the EU may allow countries to partially suspend operation of the EES if necessary, in exceptional circumstances during peak travel times, until later in 2026.
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- Launch date. The official EU website on the EES states that the system will commence a progressive introduction from October 12, 2025, with full implementation by April 10, 2026.
- Progressive rollout. From October 12, 2025, only a small percentage of border crossings will need to be registered via EES. This will increase over time before eventually reaching 100% by April 10, 2026. Additionally, requirements to obtain biometric data at border crossings will be progressively introduced over this same period.
Update - March 16, 2026: Travel to Europe mobile application. The European Union has announced the Travel to Europe mobile application, which allows non-EU nationals to pre-register their passport data and facial image, and provide various details about their trip, within the 72 hours before reaching an EES border crossing point. Use of the app is optional. As of October 12, 2025, the app can be used at specific border crossings when entering or exiting Sweden. Other European countries using the EES may make the app available later. App functionalities may vary from country to country.
Latest status of European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS):
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- Launch date. On March 5, 2025, the European Council announced that the ETIAS is likely to be launched in the ‘last quarter of 2026’. This timeline is not yet official as the European Parliament must now review and approve this approach. Previously, the system was scheduled for a 2025 commencement. In any event, EU authorities have stated that ETIAS will commence ‘a few months’ after the EES begins. This means that any delays in implementing the EES are likely to affect the ETIAS schedule.
- Transitional period/grace period. EU authorities have stated that ETIAS will be subject to a ‘transitional period’ and a subsequent ‘grace period’ as follows:
- During the transitional period – the first six months after ETIAS commences – any traveller will be able to enter without an ETIAS travel authorization, subject to satisfying all other entry requirements.
- During the grace period – the six months after the ‘transitional period – all first-time arrivals to Europe since the end of the ‘transitional period’ will be allowed to enter without an ETIAS travel authorization, subject to satisfying all other entry requirements. All other travellers will need to have an ETIAS travel authorization to enter.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
