Entry-Exit-System


The Entry-Exit-System EES - or Entry/Exit System - is a large-scale IT system planned by the European Union for the automatic monitoring of the border-crossing of third-country nationals. Envisioned to replace passport stamps, the system will be installed at the external border crossing points of the Schengen Area, e.g. airports and seaports. As of April 2020, EES is scheduled to enter into operation sometime in the first quarter of 2022. EES will be based on the EU-Regulation 2017/2226.

Function

The task of EES is to collect data of border-crossing of third-country nationals at the external border of the EU and to abolish passport stamps. Collected data will include the name and date of birth of the traveller, as well as dates of entry and exit into/from the Schengen Area. Beside these alphanumeric data points, it is planned to store biometric data like pictures and fingerprints.

Operation

EES will be operated by the EU's IT agency eu-LISA. The system launch was originally scheduled for 2020. However, according to the Swiss Federal Customs Administration, the launch has reportedly been delayed to sometime in the third quarter of 2021. As of April 2020, the planned date for the entry into operation of EES is the first quarter of 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.