The European Union has officially announced that its new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be implemented on November 10, 2024. This confirmation came from Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, during a speech at eu-LISA (European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice).
The EES is set to revolutionize border management for the Schengen Area by replacing manual passport stamping with an automated IT system that will digitally record the entry and exit of non-EU travelers, including their biometric data. This system will apply to both visa-required and visa-exempt visitors on short stays.
The new system is expected to impact approximately 700 million annual visitors to Europe, while enhancing security for the EU’s 450 million citizens. It aims to streamline border processes, combat irregular migration, and improve the identification of individuals overstaying their permitted time or using fraudulent documents.
Commissioner Johansson highlighted that the system is currently in its final testing phase. She also expressed gratitude to eu-LISA for their decade-long effort in developing this system, stating that their mission has been successfully accomplished.
The EES represents a significant step in modernizing EU border control, with the potential to greatly affect travel procedures for millions of people entering the Schengen Area.
With the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), all non-EU visitors will be required to complete a one-time registration process. This registration will create a secure digital profile for each traveler, which will be stored in a protected database for a period of three years for convenience and efficiency. Once registered, visitors won’t need to repeat the process during subsequent entries and exits from the Schengen Area within that three-year timeframe, a streamlined approach aiming to expedite border crossings while maintaining robust security measures.
By storing traveler information for an extended period, the EES allows for more effective tracking of travel patterns and adherence to visa regulations. This long-term data retention also enhances the system’s ability to identify potential security risks or visa overstays, contributing to the overall goal of improved border management and security within the EU.
