ANNOUNCEMENT ON INFORMATION ON THE EUROPEAN UNION EES AND ETIAS SYSTEMS

Dear Members,

In a letter dated October 8, 2025, and numbered 12726, sent to our Association by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), it was announced that the European Union's new EES (Entry-Exit System) will enter into force on October 12, 2025. This system will be gradually implemented by European countries at their external border crossings.

The data collection process will be initiated in phases, with full implementation of the system scheduled for completion on April 10, 2026. Meanwhile, ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will be operational in the last quarter of 2026.
At this stage, travelers to Europe are not expected to take any action. The European Union will also announce the exact start date of the ETIAS system a few months before its implementation.

The "EES Information Booklet," prepared on this topic, is attached. The booklet contains important information regarding the EES system implementation process, the new biometric data records (fingerprints, facial images) to be collected at border crossings, and travel planning.

We respectfully submit it for your information.

Association of Turkish Travel Agencies
TÜRSAB

Annex - 1: EES Information Booklet