EU’s biometric Entry/Exit border system
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The European Union's long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to be gradually rolled out at border crossings across the Schengen Area, with full deployment expected within six months. After numerous delays and setbacks, the system may soon be operational.
On December 4, the European Commission (EC) proposed a phased implementation of the EES, Europe’s new digital border system for non-EU nationals. Once the proposal is approved and a start date is set, EU member states will have six months to implement the system.
The EU’s official EES website confirmed that the system will launch in 2025, although an exact date has not yet been provided. This marks the latest milestone in the development of the system, which was first proposed nearly nine years ago.
What is the EES?
The Entry/Exit System is an automated registration system designed for travelers from the UK and other non-EU countries who do not require a visa to enter the EU. Upon crossing an EU external border, travelers will be required to scan their passports or other travel documents at a self-service kiosk. The system will not apply to EU citizens or residents or those holding long-stay visas.
The system will capture the traveler’s name, biometric data (such as facial scans and fingerprints), and the date and location of their entry and exit. Facial scans and fingerprints will be taken every three years and will remain valid for multiple trips within that period.
Why is the EES being implemented, and in which countries?
The EES will apply to non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, visiting the Schengen Area for tourism, business, or short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. The system is being introduced to enhance border security and to help authorities identify travelers who overstay their permitted time in the Schengen Area.
Ylva Johansson, the EU’s former home affairs commissioner, stated in an August speech at eu-LISA (the agency overseeing Europe’s large-scale IT systems) that the EES would provide authorities with precise data on who enters the Schengen Area with a foreign passport.
The system will apply to all EU member states (excluding Cyprus and Ireland) as well as four non-EU countries in the Schengen Area: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
Delays in the rollout of the EES
The EES has faced multiple delays. Initially, Johansson had hoped to launch the system before the end of her tenure in November. However, in August, she announced that the planned November 10 launch would be delayed for the fourth time. The delay was attributed to concerns from France, Germany, and the Netherlands—countries that collectively receive over 100 million tourists annually. These countries expressed concerns about the system's readiness and the lack of practical testing.
Previous delays have also been caused by IT issues and the need to install new automated barriers at all international borders in the Schengen Area, including land, maritime, and air borders. Some airports had to reinforce floors to accommodate the new scanners.
What the entry process will look like with the EES
While the official launch date has not yet been confirmed, the system is expected to be fully operational at all relevant border crossings. The gradual rollout will allow countries to fine-tune their technology and address any unforeseen issues.
According to the EC, the goal is to have the system operational at 10% of border crossings in each member state on the first day of the rollout. During this initial phase, travelers' passports will continue to be stamped, but their entry and exit details will also be electronically recorded.