EU Introduces Biometric Border System for Non-EU Travelers

Starting Sunday, a caller biometric system will alteration however overseas nationals transverse European Union borders. The Entry/Exit System (EES) will necessitate each travelers from non-EU countries to supply fingerprints and facial photographs when entering the Schengen Area for the archetypal time. This zone includes each EU countries but Ireland and Cyprus.

The rules besides use to citizens of the United Kingdom, which has near the EU, arsenic well arsenic travelers from Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Biometric information postulation will beryllium gradually rolled retired astatine airports and borderline crossings, with afloat implementation expected by April 10, 2026. The EU hopes this transition play will let subordinate states to accommodate without creating agelong queues astatine airports oregon borderline points.

The integer system eliminates the request for manual passport stamping, alternatively linking travel documents to each visitor’s individuality done biometric data. EU officials accidental the determination aims to modernize borderline management, curb amerciable immigration, observe fraudulent documents, and guarantee travelers bash not overstay permitted periods. The system will besides show visa-free visitors to guarantee compliance with the 90-day bounds within immoderate 180-day period.

How the System Works

Upon archetypal introduction into the Schengen zone, travelers will person their fingerprints scanned and faces photographed. When leaving, their information will beryllium checked against the EES database to corroborate compliance with stay limits and grounds departures. On subsequent visits, lone biometric verification will beryllium required.

Checks will take spot astatine planetary airports, seaports, train terminals, and onshore borderline crossings within Schengen. The lone objection is passengers traveling by train done the Eurotunnel to France, who will undergo checks when departing from UK stations.

The EES will beryllium implemented gradually, with authorities acceptable to temporarily suspend the process if agelong queues form.

Looking Ahead to 2026

From 2026, the EES will beryllium replaced by the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Non-Schengen travelers will then request to use for authorization, supply idiosyncratic and travel information, and wage a 20 euros interest earlier traveling. The authorization will beryllium valid for three years oregon until the passport expires.

Source: tovima.com