EU launches new electronic border system for non-EU travelers
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The EU begins rolling out a new electronic border system requiring biometric checks for non-EU travelers to boost security and curb irregular migration.
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Passengers coloured by green light attend a welcoming ceremony announcing Bulgaria's accession in Schengen by air and water, at Sofia airport, Bulgaria, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP)
The European Union on Sunday began implementing a new electronic entry and exit registration system for travelers from outside the bloc, in a move aimed at strengthening border security and curbing irregular migration.
According to Reuters, the system requires travelers to scan their passports, fingerprints, and facial images upon entry to the Schengen area. The rollout will take place gradually over the next six months.
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner described the new system as “the digital backbone of our common European framework for migration and asylum,” emphasizing its role in modernizing border management across the union.
Digital records to replace passport stamps
By April 10, 2026, the system will be fully operational, replacing traditional passport stamps with digital records. Non-EU citizens will need to register their biometric and identity data in European databases when entering the bloc for the first time.
Brunner explained that each traveler from a third country will undergo an identity check and security screening to ensure safe and efficient border control.
Reuters reported that the Bajakovo border crossing between Serbia and Croatia experienced long queues on Sunday, with travelers waiting around 20 minutes to complete biometric scanning procedures.
Delays and congestion at border crossings
British travelers will also be subject to the same biometric checks at Dover Port, the Eurotunnel terminal, and London’s Eurostar station before departing for EU destinations.
UK Border Security Minister Alex Norris said that both the United Kingdom and the European Union share a common goal of safeguarding borders, noting that these measures “will help protect citizens and prevent illegal migration.”
The new electronic entry/exit system represents one of the EU’s largest security overhauls in decades, integrating technology-driven border management with stricter data verification to enhance travel safety and oversight across Europe.
