An IMGW News Report
The European Union’s Home Affairs Commissioner has announced that the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will officially go live on 10 November 2024. Commissioner Ylva Johansson indicated that this system is projected to affect around 700 million travellers annually and is designed to improve border management across EU countries.
“The main goals of the EES are to modernise how borders are managed, deter illegal migration into the EU, and enhance the safety of European citizens.”
The European Commission has now set a definitive launch date for the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), confirming it as 10 November 2024.
During a speech at eu-LISA, the European Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems, Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed the EES would become operational on 10 November 2024, according to Schengen.News.
Although the proposed date had been circulating in various media outlets, this announcement marks the first official confirmation from the EU, establishing a specific timeline for implementation.
“After considerable consultations with Member States, various stakeholders, and all involved parties, I have decided that the Entry/Exit System will begin on 10 November. There are still a few legal steps that need to be completed before the Commission can finalise this decision, but I am pleased to announce today that the 10th of November is our target date,” Commissioner Johansson stated.
In addition to confirming the launch date, Commissioner Johansson also mentioned that the EES is currently in the final phase of testing.
Impact of the EES on 700 Million Travellers Annually
Once in operation, the EES is expected to impact roughly 700 million individuals travelling to Europe each year. Commissioner Johansson also pointed out that the new system would help to enhance the security of 450 million Europeans.
“The efforts put into this system will impact 700 million travellers, as over 700 million tourists visited Europe last year. Your dedication ensures that 450 million Europeans will feel safer,” she commented.
She also expressed her gratitude towards eu-LISA for their dedication over the past decade, acknowledging that their mission has been effectively fulfilled.
What the EES Means for Foreign Visitors to the EU
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a state-of-the-art automated IT system designed to register the entry and exit of foreign nationals travelling to the EU for short stays, irrespective of whether they are eligible for visa-free entry.
This system will replace the outdated method of manually stamping passports. Instead, it will electronically record key details of travellers, including their names, types of travel documents, biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial images), and the dates and locations of their entries and exits within the EU.
The system will also keep records of any entry refusals.
The main goals of the EES are to modernise how borders are managed, deter illegal migration into the EU, and enhance the safety of European citizens. The EES will also help identify individuals who overstay their visas or attempt to enter the EU using forged documentation.
Following the launch of the EES, all foreign visitors will be required to register in the system. Their information will be stored securely in a database for three years, meaning they won’t need to register each time they enter or exit the EU.
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