EU Postpones Launching New Entry/Exit System

• 11.10.2024, 9:30

It was supposed to come into force on November 10.

The European Commission has postponed the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated register for travelers, which was supposed to come into force on November 10, Euronews reports.

As Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said after the meeting of EU interior ministers, three EU member states admitted that they are not yet ready to switch to the new system. Earlier, diplomats in Brussels said that this concerns Germany, France and the Netherlands.

“We also have some concerns about the sustainability of the system,” the European Commissioner added, proposing a phased approach that would allow the EES to be introduced step by step.”

What is EES?

The EES is an automated system for registering citizens of non-EU countries who arrive on short-term visits. As stated on the official website of the European Union, both those entering with short-term visas and those who have the right to visa-free entry will be registered.

It was reported that after the system is put into operation, visitors will have to present their passports upon arrival, as well as take a photo and make an electronic fingerprint scan. All entries and exits from the passport-free Schengen zone will be recorded.

Where EES should work

28 countries have agreed to use EES: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Some EU member states, namely Croatia, Cyprus and Ireland, have not joined the EES.

On the contrary, several non-EU countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have joined the project.