The European Council adopted two regulations on the establishment of an entry-exit system for the management of the Schengen Area’s external border. The entry-exit system is expected to contribute to reducing border check delays, better identifying over stayers and combating terrorism. 

The situation

On November 20, 2017, the European Council adopted two regulations on the establishment of an entry-exit system for the management of the Schengen Area’s external border.

A closer look

All non-EU nationals who are admitted for short term stays of less than 90 days in a 6-month period in the Schengen Area will be subject to the entry-exit system. The system will register the name, type of travel document, biometrics (finger prints and facial image), the date and place of entry and exit from the Schengen Area. This increased automation of border controls will help:

• Reduce border check delays and facilitate border crossing for good faith travellers;
• Improve the quality of these checks by automatically calculating the authorized stay of each traveller;
• Better identify over stayers; and
• Combat terrorism and organized crime by allowing law enforcement authorities (border, visa authorities, Europol) access to travel records.

Looking ahead

After the official signature of the European Council and the European Parliament, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days after the publication. The entry-exit system is expected to be operational by 2020.

Source: Fragomen.com