On Sunday, the German Federal Police officially initiated the commissioning of the new digital European Entry and Exit System (EES) at Düsseldorf Airport. This marks the beginning of a nationwide process; the system will be introduced gradually across all German airports and seaports over the coming weeks, according to the Federal Police Headquarters in Potsdam. The implementation of the EES constitutes a major overhaul of border management across the entire Schengen area and is specifically designed to enhance the protection of the European Union's external borders.
The launch in Germany follows a complex planning process. The system was originally scheduled to be fully operational across Europe starting in November 2024, but the Federal Minister of the Interior confirmed that this timeline had to be adjusted due to various "technical challenges." The nationwide introduction in Germany is now planned in stages until mid-April, aligning with the timeline stipulated by the EU Commission. Following the inaugural launch in Düsseldorf, the next phase will involve putting the system into operation at major travel hubs, including the large international airports in Frankfurt am Main and Munich.
The EES system replaces the longstanding practice of stamping physical passports for short stays. ‘Short stay’ means up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This period is calculated as a single period for all the European countries using the EES. It functions by centrally recording the travel data and biometric information of travelers from non-EU countries. The primary goal of this automated border check system is to improve information-sharing between the bloc’s 27 member states, allowing authorities to precisely track entry and exit times. This capability is expected to significantly improve the detection of individuals overstaying their authorized period and better identify those who have been previously refused entry.
The system specifically affects third-country nationals entering the European Union for short stays, whether they possess a short-term visa or are visa-exempt. The new requirements mandate that non-EU nationals provide their passport number, submit fingerprints, and have their photo taken at automated kiosks upon arrival. These same requirements apply within the European Economic Area (EEA) members outside the EU, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, though they exclude Cyprus and Ireland. Importantly, nothing will change for EU citizens, who remain exempt from comparable document checks upon entering and exiting.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, the new EES is a critical tool intended to bolster security at Europe's external borders. It is specifically designed to make identity fraud and unauthorized extensions of stay more difficult to accomplish. The German Federal Police categorize the EES as a core component of the EU's so-called Smart Borders Agenda, which focuses on improving external border protection through the introduction of advanced digital IT solutions and enhanced data management. The EU executive noted that the EES is anticipated to "contribute to prevent irregular migration and help protect the security of everyone living in or travelling to Europe."
The introduction of the EES, which was hotly debated for nearly a decade before its launch, has generated concerns among passengers and transport providers who fear it could lead to longer queues at ports and stations. To mitigate these disruptions, the rollout will be phased. Major member states like France and Germany will initially carry out only limited checks, whereas some smaller member states began with the system fully in place on Sunday. All member states are expected to utilize automated checks for all eligible passengers by mid-April.
Particular attention has been focused on the UK border, as British nationals are now subject to these checks following Brexit. UK authorities have proactively warned British travelers that they should anticipate waiting a few extra minutes before they can enter Schengen territory. Transport operators like Getlink (Channel Tunnel) and Eurostar had expressed confidence in their readiness, having installed terminals for checks carried out in Britain before passengers cross the border, particularly at London’s St Pancras station and the port of Dover. The EU has also stated that information campaigns will be conducted to further streamline the implementation process.
The EES is the first phase of the EU’s comprehensive border overhaul. The next phase will involve the launch of the ETIAS scheme (European Travel Information and Authorisation System). Similar in function to the ESTA system used by the United States, ETIAS will require citizens of visa-exempt countries traveling to the EU to complete an online form and pay a small fee, the exact amount of which is still under discussion. This new electronic travel authorization document will further enhance the digital management of the Schengen external borders.
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