Aleksandra Turek | April 23, 2025 |
The global landscape of border security is rapidly evolving, prompting countries and unions like the European Union (EU) to adopt new technologies and policies. In response to increasing concerns about efficiency, security, and migration control, the EU has introduced the Entry/Exit System (EES), a digital framework designed to modernize border crossings within the Schengen Area. The EES automates border processes for third-country nationals, addressing issues such as overstays, illegal immigration, and security risks. It is part of a broader legislative and policy framework, including the Schengen Border Code and the Smart Borders Initiative, reflecting the EU’s commitment to secure and efficient mobility.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a central component of the European Union’s broader initiative to modernize and strengthen external border management across the Schengen Area. The EES was developed under the Smart Borders Initiative which is a set of measures designed to streamline border crossings for pre-vetted non-EU travelers while enhancing security, identifying overstayers, and combating irregular migration at the EU’s external borders (European Union, 2025). The system is an automated identification tool that will replace traditional passport stamping by digitally recording a traveler’s personal information, travel details, and biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images. In using this system, it allows for real-time tracking of a traveler’s movements, allowing authorities to quickly detect and respond to issues such as overstays or security risks. This digital system not only enhances border control efficiency but also supports law enforcement efforts within the EU (Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, 2024). The EES will work in tandem with the EU’s new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is another part of the Smart Borders Initiative. ETIAS will require visa-exempt travelers to obtain pre-travel
authorization, thereby allowing the EU to assess potential security risks before individuals reach EU borders (Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, 2025). Together, the EES and ETIAS form a dual-layered security approach.
Despite its potential to modernize border management, the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) has encountered several significant challenges. These range from technical and logistical issues to deeper legal and ethical concerns surrounding data protection and fundamental rights. One of the primary difficulties has been the coordination between EU member states, each with varying levels of technological readiness and border infrastructure. According to reports, the EES launch has been delayed multiple times due to ongoing technical issues, such as making sure the new system works smoothly with existing border control technologies and databases across member states (ETIAS, 2024).
In addition to logistical delays, there are growing concerns about privacy and data protection. The EES collects sensitive biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, raising questions about how this information is stored, used, and protected. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has noted that while the system may improve security, it also risks infringing on individual rights if proper safeguards are not in place. The FRA has launched a project to evaluate these risks and support rights-compliant implementation across the EU. The FRA is conducting research in six member states through interviews, surveys, and round table discussions with border officials and experts to provide guidance that ensures the EES is implemented in a way that protects both security and fundamental rights (FRA, 2024).
As the EES continues to develop, it is expected to play a central role in the future of EU border security. However, the implementation of the EES has raised concerns about potential delays and disruptions to travel, particularly at high-traffic border points. For instance, Eurostar has announced the suspension of its fast-track service due to anticipated congestion, and authorities at the Port of Dover are working to mitigate expected long queues resulting from the new biometric checks (Hughes, 2025). Looking ahead, the EU’s long-term goal is to create a more efficient and secure border management system that leverages technology to facilitate legitimate travel while safeguarding against irregular migration and security threats.
While the Entry/Exit System (EES) faces numerous challenges related to technology, privacy, and coordination among EU member states, it represents a significant step forward in modernizing border control procedures within the Schengen Area. By automating the entry and exit process for non-EU nationals, the EES aims to enhance security, streamline border management, and prevent overstays. As the system evolves and is implemented across the EU, it will continue to improve the balance between security and the free movement of people, paving the way for a safer and more efficient Schengen Area.
Works Cited
Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs. (2024, October 9). Entry-exit system.
Migration and Home Affairs.
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_en
Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs. (2025, March 10). What is etias.
New requirements to travel to Europe. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/what-etias_en
ETIAS. (2024). EU entry/exit system launch delayed again. ETIAS News & Information
For Visitors Coming To Europe.
https://etias.com/articles/eu-entry/exit-system-launch-delayed-again#:~:text=Technical%20
challenges%20and%20coordination%20issues,systems%20for%20security%20and%20jus
tice
European Union. (2025). Smart borders package. Migration and Home Affairs.
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/european-migration-network-emn/emn-asylumand-migration-glossary/glossary/smart-borders-package_en
FRA. (2024, January 18). Fundamental rights implications of the entry/exit system (EES).
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
https://fra.europa.eu/en/project/2024/fundamental-rights-implications-entryexit-system-ees
Hughes, R. A. (2025, March 18). Will the EU’s new entry/exit system cause queues at
Borders? euronews.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2025/03/18/ees-impact-on-borders-eurostar-scraps-fast-t
rack-and-dover-delays-check-system
Additional Readings
https://kpmg.com/xx/en/our-insights/gms-flash-alert/flash-alert-2025-072.html
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system
https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/no-good-reason-schengen-entryexit-system
https://www.centuroglobal.com/article/schengen-ees-etias/