Entry and exit to the EU is becoming digital

It has announced that the Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin on October 12. This new system stands out as an important part of the EU's goal to make border management more secure and efficient.

According to the statement made by the Commission, the EES will be implemented gradually over a 6-month period starting from October 12, and will become active at all border crossing points following this transition process. 

This gradual implementation is designed to allow border authorities, the transport sector, and travelers to adapt to the new procedures. The statement included the following: “With the launch of the EES in October, the EU is taking an important step toward achieving its goal of creating a more secure and efficient border management system.” 

WHAT IS EES?

With the EES, the entries and exits, passport information, fingerprints, and facial images of non-EU citizens traveling for short stays in an EU member country will be recorded digitally. The main purpose of this system is to more effectively control and combat irregular entries into the Schengen area.

The new system was originally planned to come into effect as of November 10, 2024, but had been postponed several times on the grounds that the infrastructure of member countries was not yet ready.