Since November 10th, the European Union (EU) has implemented a significant transformation in border control processes: physical stamps in passports, a nostalgic mark of the entry and exit of visitors from countries outside the Schengen area, will be replaced by digital records . This change, promoted by the new Entry and Exit System (EES), represents an advance in border management and is part of the EU’s plan to modernize and strengthen security in the European space.
The EES, which covers 29 countries, including the 27 EU Member States and associated nations such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, introduces an automated system that eliminates the need for passport stamps. Instead, the entry and exit of visitors from outside the European Union will be recorded digitally, in a database that includes essential information, such as dates of passage, as well as biometric data – fingerprints and facial photographs.
According to experts, the EES will not only allow more precise control over the stays of non-Europeans, but also faster and more effective checks at borders, reducing waiting times and facilitating the flow of visitors. Alexandra Fernandes, border security specialist, highlights that this change “is a necessary step to optimize border control and respond to today’s security challenges”.
The EES is one of several measures that form part of a project to modernize EU border management, which also includes the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), scheduled for early 2025. This new system, similar to ESTA from the United States will require citizens of visa-exempt countries to apply for an EU entry permit before traveling, for a fee of 7 euros, valid for three years.
While EES and ETIAS share the goal of bolstering security in space, they have distinct focuses: while EES replaces traditional border control with a digital registry, ETIAS is intended to function as a screening system for visa-exempt visitors, in order to identify potential security risks before arrival on European territory.
The introduction of these systems underlines the EU’s commitment to adapting to technological advances and growing security requirements, whilst maintaining the agility and efficiency required to welcome visitors with passports from all over the world. Despite the inevitable feeling of losing the “memory” of travel that stamps brought, this new digital era promises tourists a more modern and safe experience. For the EU, it is about balancing freedom of movement and strengthening security at its borders, creating a more controlled environment prepared to respond to global challenges.
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