Thousands of travellers were denied entry to the European Union and nearly 700 individuals were flagged as potential security threats during the gradual rollout of a new digital border control system that entered full operation on Friday, according to the European Commission. The Entry/Exit System (EES) replaces traditional passport stamps with digital records in an effort to make travel to Europe more efficient and secure.
Thousands refused entry
According to the Commission, more than 52 million border crossings have been recorded since the system’s initial launch in October last year. Entry has been refused more than 27,000 times, including nearly 700 individuals who were identified as a security threat to the Union, officials said. “With the EES, we take control of who enters and exits the EU, when and where,” said Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Internal Affairs.
System deployed across Schengen borders
The system was officially deployed on Friday at all external border crossing points of 29 participating countries. It is used by 27 EU member states, with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which are not EU members but are part of the Schengen free movement area.
Biometric checks for non-EU travellers
Under the system, non-EU travellers arriving for short stays must provide their passport number, fingerprints and a facial photograph at automated kiosks. The data is stored in a digital file, allowing authorities to share information more effectively and track when individuals enter and exit EU territory. “This will allow authorities to identify risks in real time and deal more effectively with overstays,” said Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s executive vice president responsible for security and democracy.
Concerns over possible delays
Despite the security benefits, the system has raised concerns among transport operators and travellers who fear longer queues at airports and railway stations. The Commission said it remains in close contact with member states regarding the rollout of the system and noted that the registration process takes on average around 70 seconds for non-EU travellers.