The EU Council and European Parliament have reached a preliminary agreement allowing member states to gradually implement the digital Entry/Exit System (EES) over six months.
This system will collect biometric data from third-country nationals entering the EU.
“Thanks to this agreement, member states will be able to introduce a new border management system to register the entry and exit of non-EU nationals into the Schengen Area. This is good news that will support our efforts to ensure the security of our borders,” said Tomasz Semońak, Poland’s Minister of Interior and Administration, representing the EU Council presidency.
According to the phased rollout plan, member states will gradually start implementing the EES and aim to register at least 10% of border crossings after the first month. During the first 60 days, member states may operate the EES without biometric features. After three months, member states must use the EES with biometric features at at least 35% of their border crossing points. EU countries are expected to achieve full registration of all travelers by the end of the six-month gradual rollout.
Until the end of this transition period, member states will continue to manually stamp travel documents.
The phased implementation takes into account the diverse needs of member states. The new rules allow those wishing to gradually implement the EES over 180 days to do so, while others can start full operation immediately.
The regulation does not set a specific start date for the gradual rollout; this will require a separate decision by the European Commission.
Lawmakers also agreed that during the phased rollout, member states may fully or partially suspend EES operations at certain border crossing points under exceptional circumstances, such as when traffic congestion causes very long delays.
After the gradual rollout, and in exceptional cases, member states may also suspend EES operation at a specific border crossing point for up to six hours.
The agreement reached on Monday is preliminary. It must be confirmed by both the EU Council and European Parliament before it can be officially adopted by the two institutions.
