The European Union has announced the introduction of an electronic system to document the entry and exit of third-country nationals, set to launch in October.
The electronic Schengen Entry-Exit System (EES) will “enhance security” by helping to identify individuals who have overstayed their permitted duration of stay, said EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, on Wednesday. Additionally, the system is intended to help “prevent irregular movements and reduce document and identity fraud.”
The EU aims to use the so-called Entry-Exit System to better track the entry and exit of third-country nationals, document overstays and entry bans. Under the new system, biometric data such as facial or fingerprint recognition will replace the traditional passport stamp. EES is expected to speed up data access and thus help combat cross-border crime and terrorism.
The system was originally scheduled to be implemented in November of last year. However, the launch was postponed at short notice because some member states were not yet ready.
The electronic entry system is to be used by all EU countries except Ireland and Cyprus. Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, which are not EU members but are part of the Schengen Area, will also adopt the system. Critics fear the system could lead to longer wait times at borders.
Commissioner Brunner announced that travelers would be informed through “information campaigns” at airports and border crossings before the system's launch. “With a six-month transition period, member states, travelers, and businesses will have time to adapt to the new system.”
As part of a “phased introduction,” member states will have three months to activate the system at half of their border crossings, Brunner said. After six months, the system is expected to be fully operational.
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