EU to roll out common Entry/Exit System progressively

The EU will not ask the Member States to immediately start full operation of the Entry/Exit System (EES). The Commission has drafted a proposal for a regulation that would allow for a progressive start of the system that has been in preparation for a long time. The Government informed Parliament of the Commission's proposal by submitting a Union communication on 13 February.

The Commission's proposal would allow the Member States to roll out the EES flexibly, according to their capabilities. The Member States would begin with a minimum registration of 10 per cent of estimated border crossings and reach full registration of all border crossings by the end of the roll-out period. A Member State could also start with full operation immediately, if it was able to do so. This flexibility would give authorities and travellers time to adapt to the changes while ensuring the safety and efficiency of border checks at external borders. 

The Finnish Government welcomes the Commission's proposal for the regulation and views positively the Member States' option to achieve the EES objectives efficiently and within a reasonable time. Rapid progress will be important in order for the EES to improve the situational picture of cross-border travel.

Operation likely to start in 2025

The EES was expected to be operational throughout the EU at the end of 2024. However, not all Member States were ready for the roll-out by October 2024. The EU home affairs ministers therefore decided at the Justice and Home Affairs Council that it would be best to move forward flexibly and progressively. 

The plan under the original EES Regulation was to deploy the entire system at once. For this reason, the Commission has drawn up a proposal for a regulation that will allow for a progressive start.

According to the current estimate, the EES will begin operations in the EU during 2025. Finland is well prepared for the roll-out.

EES to register crossings at EU’s external borders

By registering border crossings at the EU's external borders, the EES will facilitate border checks and the identification of those illegally staying in the Schengen area. The system will also help in combating, detecting and investigating terrorism and other serious crime.

The EES is part of a major package of interoperable information systems that should come operational in 2027. The objective the package is to further strengthen security in the EU and to facilitate border traffic.

Inquiries:
Jouni Lahtinen, Head of Unit, Finnish Border Guard, tel. +358 295 421 331, [email protected]