Sistem ulaska i izlaska (EES) iz EU, koji je automatski IT sistem za registraciju putnika iz zemalja koje nisu članice EU, trebao bi stupiti na snagu 10. novembra, objavila je evropska komesarka za unutrašnje poslove i migracije Ilva Johanson.
„I have decided that the entry and exit system will start operating on 10 November,“ Johanson said during a meeting in Tallinn with members of the EU agency for the operational management of large information systems in the area of freedom, security, and justice (eu-LISA).
She emphasized that there are various legal steps necessary before the European Commission makes an official decision on this issue.
„But today I am proud to announce that the targeted date is November 10,“ Johanson said.
She mentioned that this is a transition to the most advanced digital border management system in the world, which will facilitate travel and make Europe safer and fully interoperable by connecting all existing national and European systems. She explained that this system will replace passport stamping by introducing digital controls for all passengers coming from non-EU countries.
„At every border crossing, at every airport, at every port, every single path leading into Europe, we will have all connected digital border controls, all in sync at the same time,“ Johanson said.
She added that the final testing phase is underway and that final tests are being conducted by the eu-Lisa agency and EU member states.
„There is real momentum now. Carriers, operators, railway stations, airports – everyone is preparing for the big day. You, eu-Lisa offer training and support so that the central system and each individual border crossing will be online. When this happens, it will mean goodbye to passport stamping, hello to digital checks for all passengers outside the EU, which will facilitate travel and gradually speed up border checks,“ she said.
She also highlighted that the work of eu-Lisa on this system affects around 700 million people because, as she emphasized, last year more than 700 million tourists visited Europe.
„With the new entry-exit system, we will know exactly who is entering the Schengen area with a foreign passport. We will know if people stay too long, opposing irregular migration. The entry and exit system will make it more difficult for criminals, terrorists, or Russian spies to use fake passports, thanks to biometric identification, photos, and fingerprints. There will be an immediate alert that this person is not who they claim to be,“ Johanson said.
She announced that the next step, the ETIAS system, which will be launched next year, will soon follow, which relates to obtaining authorization to enter 30 European countries for people from 60 visa-exempt countries.
The implementation of the EES and ETIAS systems has been postponed several times. The EES system will be an automated IT system for registering passengers from third countries, both those with short-stay visas and passengers who do not require a visa, every time they cross the EU’s external border. This system will register the person’s name, type of travel document, biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, date and place of entry and exit from the EU, while, as previously announced by the European Commission on its website, fully respecting fundamental rights and data protection.
In addition, EES will replace the current manual passport stamping system, which is said to be time-consuming and does not provide reliable data on border crossings or enable systematic detection of overstaying of allowed stay. The system will also record cases of refusal of entry into the EU.
From the Commission earlier explained that EES will contribute to preventing irregular migration and help protect the security of European citizens, as well as assist citizens of third countries who do not intend to deceive anyone to travel more easily, while at the same time more efficiently identify persons who exceed their stay, as well as cases of document and identity fraud.
Additionally, the system will enable wider use of automated border controls and self-service systems. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is expected to be implemented from 2025, is a system for obtaining travel permits for citizens who do not require a visa to travel to 30 European countries for short stays.
Travelers will need to apply to obtain travel authorization by filling out a form through the ETIAS website or mobile application, and the application for an ETIAS travel permit will cost seven euros. ETIAS travel permits are linked to the traveler’s passport and will be valid for up to three years or until the expiration of the passport.
With a valid ETIAS travel permit, travelers will be able to enter the territory of European countries applying this system as often as they wish for short stays, which usually means up to 90 days in any period of 180 days. ETIAS, however, does not guarantee entry into a specific country as border guards, when a passenger arrives at a specific destination, will ask to show a passport and other documents and check whether they meet the entry requirements.
