On the 12th of October 2025, began the gradual introduction of the new Entry/Exit System (EES) at the external borders of 29 European countries. The system will automate the process of registering data on third-country nationals entering and leaving the Schengen area. The test period will last six months and will end on the 9th of April 2026, and from the 10th of April 2026 it will become fully operational at all external border crossing points of the European countries using the system.
The EES is a European information system that automates the process of registering data on third-country nationals entering or leaving the Schengen area. Instead of manual stamping of passports, the system will carry out an electronic registration of every person crossing the border. It will report the date and place of crossing as well as cases of refusal of access.
The main objective of the system is to increase the security and effectiveness of border control. Through the automated real-time collection and sharing of information, the EES supports the fight against illegal immigration, facilitates the detection of residents staying longer than allowed and improves the exchange of data between national border services in the EU.
The system processes both identification and biometric data of passengers, including facial image and fingerprints, as well as travel document information. Due to the gradual introduction, the collection of biometric data will not start simultaneously at all border crossing points – in some locations passports will continue to be stamped until the system is fully activated.
More about the Entry/Exit System (EES) can be found on the official website of the Commission for Personal Data Protection (CPDP) here
and on the official website of the European Union at the following link
The control of the lawful functioning of the EES system will be carried out by the Coordinated Supervision Committee (CSC). The CSC is a structure whose main objective is to ensure coordinated supervision of large-scale IT systems operating within the EU, which are used by EU bodies, offices and agencies. The CSC is composed of representatives of the national data protection authorities of each EU Member State and the European Data Protection Supervisor.
Within its mission to ensure the coordinated supervision of large scale IT systems and of EU bodies, offices and agencies, the CSC can:
Exchange relevant information with institutions;
Assist the supervisory authorities in carrying out audits and inspections;
Study difficulties of interpretation or application of the EU legal act establishing the large-scale IT system or the EU office, body or agency subject to coordinated supervision;
Study problems with the exercise of independent supervision or with the exercise of the rights of data subjects;
Draw up harmonised proposals for solutions to problems;
Promote awareness on data protection rights.
More information on the Coordinated Supervision Committee can be found on the official CPDP website here
