It is possible that the launch date of the Entry/Exit System (EES) will be delayed once again as three European Union countries have reportedly said that they are not ready for its implementation in early November.
The EES, which will introduce fingerprint and facial recognition checks at EU’s ports and airports, is set to come into force on November 10.
However, as the Guardian explains, France, Germany, and the Netherlands have sent a letter to the EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, saying that they will not be ready in time to implement the system, Schengen.News reports.
These three EU countries raised concerns about the launch date, saying that they have not been able to carry out checks. This is now raising questions about whether the EES will be implemented in early November or if it will be postponed again.
The EES introduction has already been postponed twice. The system was initially set to be introduced last summer. However, since France was worried about the impact that the system would have on the rugby World Cup and on the Olympics, the launch of the system was rescheduled for October 6, 2024.
The date was pushed back again to November 10 due to fears that there would be long delays and travel disruptions.
Even though the three EU countries are reportedly not ready for the implementation of the EES in November, they all support these checks.
France, Germany, and the Netherlands believe that the system will increase security and, at the same time, accelerate the passport checks of non-EU citizens entering the bloc.
What Is EES & How Will It Work?
The EES is an automated IT system that will register all non-EU citizens entering the bloc for short stays regardless of whether they are eligible for visa-free entry or not.
When registering into the system, the travellers will have to provide their personal details, such as the data listed in the travel document, along with their fingerprints and facial images.
This data will then be stored in a safe database for a period of three years, and the information will be used to register the date and place of entry and exit from the EU.
By registering such data electronically, the EU wants to make sure that they detect overstayers, prevent irregular migration, identify people who are using fake identities, and facilitate the management of migration flows, among other things.
Once the EES is implemented, around 700 people travelling to the EU will be affected each year.
