Passport Travel History: What Eu Countries Record

The passports of EU citizens are not stamped when entering and leaving the Schengen Area. However, the Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system that will be used to register travellers from third countries, including short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border. This system will replace the current manual passport-stamping system and will record the person's name, type of travel document, biometric data, and the date and place of entry and exit. The EES is expected to be operational by the end of 2024 and will contribute to preventing irregular migration and protecting the security of European citizens.

EU passports are not stamped when entering and leaving the Schengen Area

The Schengen Area is made up of 29 European countries that have agreed to create common entry and exit requirements, removing the need for internal borders. This means that foreigners can travel freely between these countries without going through border controls, as long as they meet the entry requirements. The countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Schengen Area has common rules about visas and controls at external borders but has abolished internal border checks. However, some countries may require visitors to register with local authorities after arrival, especially if staying in private accommodations.

The Schengen Borders Code requires thorough checks to be made manually by member state authorities at entry and exit points, without possible automation. The current procedure is to stamp passports with entry and exit dates. However, this system is time-consuming and does not provide reliable data on border crossings. It also does not allow for the systematic detection of overstayers (people who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay).

In recognition of these issues, the Entry-Exit System (EES) will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports. The EES will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries, including both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travellers, each time they cross an EU external border. The system will register the person's name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit. This information will be stored for five years.

The EES will contribute to preventing irregular migration and protecting the security of European citizens. It will also help bona fide third-country nationals travel more easily while identifying overstayers and cases of document and identity fraud more efficiently. The system will allow a wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which are quicker and more comfortable for travellers.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace manual passport stamping

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system that will replace the manual stamping of passports for travellers from third countries entering the EU. The EES will be used to register travellers with short-stay visas and those who are visa-exempt each time they cross an EU external border. The system will collect the person's name, type of travel document, biometric data (including fingerprints and facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit. This will be done with full respect for fundamental rights and data protection.

The EES will replace the current system of manual passport stamping, which is time-consuming and does not provide reliable data on border crossings. The manual system also does not allow for the systematic detection of overstayers, or travellers who have exceeded the maximum duration of their authorised stay. The EES will contribute to the prevention of irregular migration and help protect the security of European citizens. It will also make it easier for bona fide third-country nationals to travel while identifying overstayers and cases of document and identity fraud more efficiently.

The EES will allow for a wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which are quicker and more comfortable for travellers. The system will be operational at the end of 2024 and will be used in conjunction with the European Passenger Name Record (PNR) Directive, which collects data on air passengers. The EES is part of the Security Union's measures to achieve the objectives of the European Agenda on Security and the European Agenda on Migration, particularly regarding border management and preventing cross-border crime and terrorism.

The EES will create a unified information system for recording data on the entry and exit movements of short-stay third-country nationals crossing EU external borders. This will include all non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area for short stays, whether they need a visa or not, and will be used at airports, seaports, land borders, and rail crossings. The EES will replace manual passport stamping with electronic registration, facilitating information sharing between Schengen countries.

The EES will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries, including the UK, each time they cross an EU external border. The EES will apply to all travellers from countries that are not in the EU or Schengen when travelling to the 29 countries operating the EES for short stays. Non-EU citizens who are legally resident or have long-stay visas to live in an EU Member State will be exempt from the EES.

The system will register the person's name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit. It will also record refusals of entry. The EES 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 systematic detection of overstayers.

The EES will contribute to preventing irregular migration and help protect the security of European citizens. It will also help bona fide third-country nationals travel more easily while identifying overstayers and cases of document and identity fraud more efficiently. In addition, the system will allow a wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which are quicker and more comfortable for the traveller.

The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) is responsible for developing and managing the EES. The EES is among the measures undertaken as part of the Security Union and will help achieve the objectives of the European Agenda on Security and the European Agenda on Migration, particularly regarding border management and preventing cross-border crime and terrorism.

The EES is currently scheduled to become functional in 2024 and will work in conjunction with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is set to become operational from mid-2025. The EES will monitor the movement of third-country nationals within Europe, as travellers' passports will be electronically tagged as they enter or leave a country. This will replace the outdated and cumbersome process of stamping a visitor's passport and will allow for the quick identification and location of visitors who have overstayed the permitted time limit or who may be the subject of a security or police alert.

The EES will record biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries, including both short-stay visa holders and those who are visa-exempt. The EES will record biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, in addition to the person's name, type of travel document, and the date and place of entry and exit. This system will replace the current manual stamping of passports, which is time-consuming and does not provide reliable data on border crossings or allow for the systematic detection of travellers who have exceeded their authorised stay.

The EES will contribute to the prevention of irregular migration and help protect European citizens' security. It will also facilitate travel for bona fide third-country nationals while improving the detection of overstayers and cases of document and identity fraud. The system will allow for wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, which will make the travel process quicker and more comfortable for travellers.

The EES will be operational at the end of 2024 or in 2025 and will be used in conjunction with the European Passenger Name Record (PNR) Directive, which collects data on air passengers. This system is based on the principle that the majority of visitors are bona fide and aims to make borders smarter by automating checks and controls for legitimate visitors while strengthening methods for combating irregular migration.

The EES will create a unified information system for recording data on the entry and exit movements of short-stay third-country nationals crossing EU external borders. It will be a powerful tool in preventing and detecting terrorist activities and other serious criminal offences. The data stored in the new register will include facial images and fingerprints, with strict respect for the person's human dignity and integrity. The mechanism ensures that competent authorities cannot discriminate based on sex, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion, belief, or political or other opinions.

The EES will be operational by the end of 2024

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system for registering travellers from third countries (non-EU citizens or citizens of the Schengen area) entering or exiting the EU/Schengen area. The EES will replace the current system of manual passport stamping, which is time-consuming and does not reliably track border crossings or identify travellers who have exceeded their authorised stay. The new system will register the traveller's name, type of travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and facial images), and the date and place of entry and exit. It will also record refusals of entry.

The EES is expected to improve border security, streamline travel for bona fide third-country nationals, and better identify travellers who have overstayed, as well as cases of document and identity fraud. The system will also allow for wider use of automated border control checks and self-service systems, enhancing traveller comfort and convenience.

The EES was initially slated for launch in 2022 but has faced multiple delays. The most recent target date for the system's implementation was the end of 2024. However, in October 2024, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner confirmed that the November 10, 2024, commencement date was no longer viable due to some countries not having their EES systems ready. The European Commission has not announced a new official launch date but maintains that the EES will be introduced in 2025, with a progressive roll-out over 180 days.

The EES is a significant component of the European Union's efforts to modernise and strengthen its border management, enhance security, and address challenges related to migration and cross-border crime. The system's implementation is highly anticipated, and its impact on travel procedures and border control efficiency will be closely monitored.

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