Although plagued with delays and technical difficulties, the European Commission on Tuesday announced the long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) to be introduced later this year. The updated digital border control system was due in November last year but got delayed because of technological difficulties.
One EU Commission spokesperson told BBC, “The entry into operation of EES is foreseen for October 2025,” although there is no exact date set. High officials at the Port of Dover are expecting it to roll out on November 1st.
The switch to the new system would impact millions of travelers entering or exiting the European Union. The aim of the project is to replace traditional passport stamping by registering individuals in a digital system, along with their fingerprints, photo, and passport details. Travelers originating outside of the EU will be required to upload their biometric data as well.
The new system promises a more effective way of handling border crossings, but critics fear it may lead to increased waiting times at the borders. It is unclear if the new system will be more effective in curtailing the illegal crossings into the EU and slowing down illegal immigration into the bloc.
