The EU has confirmed that its much-delayed new Entry-Exit System (EES) will finally be launched on 12 October, as part of a phased implementation over a six-month period.

It has also been revealed that the fee for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will be launched in late 2026, is to nearly treble from its original €7 to €20.

EES is a biometric system which will use digital photographs and fingerprints for registering travellers from non-EU countries, including the UK and US, when they cross the EU’s external border. It will apply to both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers.

Earlier this year, the EU had confirmed that it would finally launch EES in October 2025, after previously abandoning plans to launch the system in November 2024, due to concerns about the IT infrastructure not being ready.

The EU has now set the firm date of 12 October for launching EES, with implementation across the 29 participating countries continuing until 9 April 2026 when the system is due to be fully operational at all EU borders.

EES must in place before the EU can introduce the ETIAS system for visa-exempt non-EU nationals. ETIAS is now scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2026 at the higher rate of €20.

“This increase aims to cover the operational costs of ETIAS, taking into account all its functionalities and inflation rates, and align the EU fee to the ones of other countries that have similar travel authorisation programmes,” said the EU in an explanation of the increase in price.

“The ETIAS system is designed to make it easier for visa-exempt non-EU nationals to travel to the EU while improving security. Travellers will need to fill out an online application before their trip, providing personal information.

“The application will be processed automatically, and the traveller will receive a decision within minutes. Certain groups, including individuals under 18 or over 70, will be exempt from paying the fee.”

Once approved, ETIAS is valid for three years unless the applicant’s travel document expires before the end of this period. It allows for travellers to stay in the 30 ETIAS countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

The proposed increase in the ETIAS fee will now go through a two-month review period by the European Council and Parliament.

The price increase comes after the UK raised the cost of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which now applies to EU citizens, by 60 per cent to £16 (€18.50) earlier this year.

Meanwhile, the US Congress has approved plans to increase the fee for the country’s ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) from $21 to $40, although no date has yet been confirmed for implementation of this rise.

Mark Tanzer, CEO of UK-based travel association ABTA, said the announcement of the date for the EES launch “provides clarity for the travel industry”.

“In the run-up to EES phased implementation it is important there is a clear communication plan from both the EU and the UK government, so UK travellers know what’s expected of them and to build confidence in the new process,” added Tanzer.

“We also encourage EU member states to adopt the EES app, as soon as possible. The app will allow travellers to provide information in advance and cut down EES processing times at airports and ports.”