Border security: agreement on gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System

Border security: agreement on gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System   Press Releases   LIBE   Yesterday     Entry-Exit System will register non-EU nationals’ external border crossings for short stays   Aim is to improve security, speed up border checks and reduce queues   Gradual launch of system over 180 days to allow EU countries to prepare   Parliament and Council have reached an agreement on gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders. Negotiating teams from the European Parliament and the Polish presidency of the Council have reached an agreement on how to introduce the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders. Once operational, the system will register data, including biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints, of third‑country nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area on short‑stay visas. The aim is to improve security, speed up the border check process, and reduce queues. Roll-out over 180 days The idea behind gradual implementation over 180 days is to prevent a simultaneous launch in all countries from compromising the system. During the roll-out period, the launch could be temporarily suspended if waiting times become too long or there are technical issues. The co-legislators adjusted the Commission’s original proposal for the plan’s timeline: 10% of crossings must be recorded in the system by the 30th day (as opposed to the 1st day) and 35% by the 90th day (as opposed to 50%). The...