Stronger and Smarter Borders in the EU

USPA NEWS - The European Commission is presenting its revised proposal for a Regulation on the establishment of an Entry-Exit System to speed-up, facilitate and reinforce border check procedures for non-EU nationals travelling to the EU.

The Entry-Exit System will modernize external border management by improving the quality and efficiency of controls and support Member States with the increasing numbers of travellers entering and exiting the EU. The legislative proposal is part of the broader 'Smart Borders Package', addressing the role of information systems in enhancing external border management, internal security and the fight against terrorism and organized crime.

Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos said that "the use of new technologies can help manage the flow of travellers arriving at our external borders, while at the same time tackling irregular migration and enhancing our internal security. Today, we address an important gap in our information systems and take concrete action to make our borders stronger, smarter and more efficient for the ever-increasing numbers of travellers coming to the EU."

The proposed Entry-Exit System will allow for the effective management of authorized short-stays, increased automation at border-controls, and improved detection of document and identity fraud. The system will apply to all non-EU citizens who are admitted for a short stay in the Schengen area, disposing a maximum of 90 days in any 180 day period per year.

The system will register the name, type of travel document and biometrics and the date and place of entry and exit. This will facilitate the border crossing of bona fide travellers, detect over-stayers and identify undocumented persons in the Schengen area. The System will also record refusals of entry. The Entry-Exit System will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports which is time consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings and does not allow the detection of over-stayers or address cases of loss or destruction of travelling documents.