Here’s a primer for Europe’s Entry/Exit System (EES), and ETIAS, and what Canadian travellers need to know

TORONTO — EES, ETIAS ...

what do you need to know about these acronyms when your clients just want to enjoy their Europe vacation ASAP? As reported earlier this month by media outlets including EuroNews , the EU’s Entry / Exit System (EES) is set to launch this November. The EES will add another layer of security – and scanners – for non-EU travellers entering what’s known as the Schengen Area. The 27 Schengen Area countries are Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Automated barriers have been installed at the Schengen Area’s international land, maritime and air borders in anticipation of EES. The new protocol was originally slated to launch in 2022, but IT issues and more caused delays. Currently the EES launch date is Nov.

10. Some travellers (and travel advisors) may be wondering about the connection between the EES and the ETIAS, which is the European Travel Information and Authorization System. At last word the latest of many delays for the ETIAS pegged its launch at spring 2025.

Travelweek reached out to Tourism Ireland’s Sandra Moffatt and Visit Flanders’ Marco Frank for more details on the EES and ETIAS. Moffat is Chair and Frank is Vice Chair of the European Travel Commission’s (ETC’s) Canada Chapter. MORE DETAILS ON THE ENTRY/E.