EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson promises to launch EES
The new system of entry and exit to the EU countries will be launched on November 10, 2024.This was announced by EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson on Monday, August 19.”EES is an automated system aimed at modernizing border control in EU countries,” the commissioner said in a statement. “According to the law, various steps are required before the Commission can make an official decision, but I am proud to announce that November 10th is the scheduled day.”Commissioner Johansson also added that the authorities are currently in the final stage of testing.The Entry and Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system that registers foreign travelers entering the EU for a short stay, regardless of whether they are eligible for visa—free entry or not.The system will replace the stamps in the passport: the name of the traveler, the type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images), as well as the date and place of entry and exit from the EU will be entered into the system electronically. Refusals of entry will also be registered in it.The main purpose of the innovation was the modernization of border control, the prevention of illegal migration. EES will also help identify those who are trying to enter Europe using forged documents.After the launch of EES, all foreigners wishing to enter the EU territory will have to register in the system. The travelers’ data will be stored for three years. This means that tourists will not be required to go through the registration procedure every time they enter or leave the Schengen countries.The process itself can be accelerated if you register your data in advance. This can be done using:— a self—service terminal, if it is available at your border crossing point; – a mobile application, if it is provided by the country of arrival or departure.In each of these cases, a meeting with a passport control officer is not excluded.
If a tourist crosses the border multiple times, his personal data will be saved in EES. The border guard will only have to scan his fingerprints and take a photo, which will significantly speed up the passage of control.A traveler with a biometric passport who repeatedly crosses the EU borders and has no obstacles to entry will be able to pass automatic border control without the participation of an employee.According to the commissioner, the system will affect about 700 million people traveling to Europe annually. “At the same time, it will provide 450 million Europeans with a sense of greater security,” said Ylva Johansson.EU citizens, holders of an EU residence permit and long-term EU visas (category D) will be exempt from registration in the EES.Technically, the introduction of EES is unlikely to change anything for Russian tourists. It will not complicate the process of obtaining a Schengen visa, but it will not make it easier either. Recall that the EU countries periodically increase the period for reviewing documents, in addition, there are difficulties with slots.
