Boosting EU Security with Biometric Border Control

The EPP Group has welcomed today’s vote in favour of introducing the new Entry/Exit System, a tool designed to strengthen EU border control.

The new system, which the Commission plans to launch in October, will collect biometric data (such as fingerprints and facial scans) and travel information from non-EU citizens visiting the EU for short stays.

It will replace the old system of stamping passports, making the process faster and more secure. The system will also help detect identity fraud, track overstays, and respond more effectively to security concerns.

“By facilitating the fastest possible start of the EU Entry/Exit System, we are delivering on our promise of a safer Europe. Through the mandatory uptake of biometric data, the system will strengthen the integrity of the Schengen area, help us reduce illegal migration, and serve as an important tool in the fight against organised crime and terrorism,” says Alice Teodorescu Måwe MEP, the EPP Group’s lead negotiator on the Entry/Exit system.

Due to the concerns about launching such a complex system, the Commission has proposed a 180-day phased rollout. It would permit Member States to implement the system gradually.