EU delays implementation of Entry/Exit System

The EU has postponed the biometric entry-check system launch.

The EU has postponed the launch of its biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens, initially set for November 10.

The European Union has postponed the implementation of a biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens, initially slated for 10 November. Delays stem from concerns raised by Germany, France, and the Netherlands regarding their border computer systems’ readiness. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed that no new launch date has been set, though discussions about a phased introduction are ongoing.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) aims to create a digital link between travel documents and biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial scans, thereby removing the need for manual passport stamping at the EU’s external borders. Non-EU citizens arriving in the Schengen area would need to provide biometric information and answer questions regarding their stay.

Officials from Germany’s interior ministry noted that the three nations represent 40% of the affected passenger traffic and are not yet prepared to implement the EES. They indicated that the EU agency EU-Lisa has yet to deliver the necessary stability and functionality for the central system.

While the French interior ministry acknowledged the EES’s potential benefits, they emphasised the need for proper preparation before its rollout. The Dutch government has not provided a response regarding its stance on the delay.