The EU has been forced to delay the implementation of its new border controls for non-Schengen visitors indefinitely, in a major humiliation for Brussels.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) was supposed to be finally introduced on November 10 after two years of delays and procrastination.
The scheme will require all non-EU citizens including Brits to have their fingerprints or photos taken before entering the Schengen area for the first time once the system is activated.
Confidence was high in Brussels that the EES would finally see the light of day, with Ylva Johansson – the Home Affairs Commissioner – saying “everything is coming together” back in August.
However, following objections from France, Germany and the Netherlands, Brussels has been forced into a major U-turn.
The three countries are responsible for 40 percent of all inward traffic into the EU and have faced IT difficulties.
They wrote to the European Commission in early September to say they could not sign a declaration of “readiness”.
After a meeting of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg on Thursday, Ms Johansson said Brussels would look into introducing the scheme gradually after “some concerns” over the “resilience of the system” had emerged.
“10th of November is no longer on the table,” the EU Commissioner also said.
“I hope we can start as soon as possible but there’s no new timeline so far.
“This also depends on the legal assessment that we will do and we’re working on it right now.”
The latest delay comes just days after Spain warned the UK the new rules would mean a hard border with Gibraltar.
Spain’s government urged London to allow Gibraltar to join the Schengen area to avoid such an outcome.
The EES will apply to non-EU citizens, including Brits, entering the passport-free Schengen Zone for visits, holidays and business trips for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period
The system is meant to help crack down on people overstaying short-term visas and identity fraudsters.
The Schengen Zone consists of most – but not all – of the EU’s 27 member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. Bulgaria and Romania are expected to join soon.
