Parliament approves gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System at EU external borders

Entry-Exit System will register non-EU nationals’ external border crossings for short stays

Aim is to improve security, speed up border checks and reduce queues

Gradual launch of system over 180 days to allow EU countries to prepare

Parliament has given its final green light to gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament approved with 572 in favour, 42 against, and 67 abstentions the gradual introduction over 180 days of the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders, paving the way for starting the roll-out in the autumn.

Once operational, the system will register data, including name, type of travel document, time and place of entry and exit, and biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints, of third‑country nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area on short‑stay visas or benefitting from visa-free travel. The aim is to improve security, speed up the border check process, and reduce queues.

Roll-out over 180 days

The idea behind gradual implementation over 180 days is to prevent a simultaneous launch in all countries from compromising the system. During the roll-out period, the launch can be temporarily suspended if waiting times become too long or there are technical issues.

According to the agreed timeline, 10% of crossings must be recorded in the system by the 30th day, and 35% by the 90th day. By the 170th day, all crossings need to be recorded.

The system includes contingency measures in case of problems with the system’s central roll-out. Opting for the gradual roll-out is voluntary, meaning that EU countries can roll the system out all at once if they prefer.

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Rapporteur Assita Kanko (ECR, Belgium) said: “Parliament has now done its part and ensured that the Entry-Exit System can be used at EU external borders as soon as is realistically possible. We worked at top speed to make sure that citizens can soon benefit from increased border security, as entries and exits will be systematically and electronically logged, and from reduced queues for those whose documents are in order. Now, the ball is in the court of member states and the European Commission to finish preparations and start the 180-day roll-out as soon as possible.”

Procedure and next steps

Parliament and Council reached an agreement on the final form of the law on 19 May.

The Council still needs to formally adopt the law before it can be published in the EU Official Journal. On the third day after publication, it will enter into force.

Within 30 days of the entry into force, the EU Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA) will develop a central roll-out plan for the EES, and within 60 days of the same date, each member state will develop a national roll-out plan. Finally, it will be up to the Commission to decide when to launch the 180-day roll-out period.

Background

The Entry-Exit System (EES) is one of the EU’s interoperable databases for border management and security. Once it is fully operational, physical stamping of passports will be replaced by entries in the EES, to be accessible for real-time consultation by other Schengen area member states, in line with their security needs.

This is first time that biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, will be collected systematically at EU external borders. The system is expected to reduce violations of entry rules.