The European Parliament has officially greenlit a phased introduction of a new border control mechanism for non-EU nationals that will eliminate the need for passport stamps.
Known as the Entry/Exit System (EES), the digital platform was initially slated to launch in November last year, but the rollout was postponed due to several member states being unprepared.
Originally agreed upon in 2017, the EES is designed to automatically log the dates travellers enter and leave the EU, as well as to monitor overstays and refused entries.
Non-EU visitors entering the Schengen zone will also have their biometric data — including facial scans and fingerprints — collected at border checkpoints.
‘The aim is to improve security, speed up the border check process, and reduce queues,’ the European Parliament said.
However, concerns have been voiced over the possibility that a hasty deployment could cause delays for travellers arriving by train, ferry or air.
Last year, London Mayor Sadiq Khan cautioned that the system could cause ‘chaos’ at St Pancras International, the British capital’s Eurostar terminal.
Since leaving the EU in 2020, the UK has introduced its own digital travel authorisation system, which now applies to EU nationals visiting Britain. ALSO READ: UK imposes ETA travel entry permit on Europeans from Wednesday 2 April.
The phased rollout approved by MEPs in Strasbourg — with 572 votes in favour and 42 against — will take place over a six-month timeframe.
The European Commission will determine the official start date once the legislation is formally adopted and comes into effect.
Under the plan, participating countries will begin operating the EES at 50% of border crossings after three months, with full implementation expected across all checkpoints by the end of the six-month period.
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🗳️ Parliament approves gradual roll-out of Entry-Exit System at EU external borders
Parliament has given its final green light to gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders.
Details ⤵️ https://t.co/Ep88c6aUzX
— EP PressService (@EuroParlPress) July 8, 2025
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