EU set to launch an automated border system in October

A police officer stands in front of Non-Schengen automatic border control gates, at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, on March 28, 2024. ANDREEA ALEXANDRU / AP

The European Union announced, on Wednesday, July 30, that a delayed new border-check system for non-EU nationals, which will do away with passport stamps, will finally launch in October. The so-called Entry/Exit System (EES) was initially supposed to kick in last November, but was pushed back at the last minute as several countries were not ready. The EES will record visitors' entry and exit dates and keep track of overstays and refused entries. Travelers will have details and biometric data – facial images and fingerprints – collected.

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"This will strengthen security (...) by helping us identify overstayers, prevent irregular movements and reduce document and identity fraud," said Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for migration.