EES launched in the EU: how the new system will change border crossing for Ukrainians

As of October 12, the Entry/Exit System (EES) has started its operations at the external borders of the European Union. This system covers 29 countries, including the Schengen Area states. Now, passport control has been replaced with digital control, which includes passport scanning, biometric identification, and long-term data storage.

The idea of implementing such a system was first proposed back in 2016, and eventually, it officially worked. Technical difficulties, the pandemic, and financial problems have delayed this process many times. However, the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ilva Johansson believes that the new EES system will significantly enhance security at the EU borders, complicating matters for criminals and dangerous individuals.

Ukrainians, like other citizens of third countries, must have biometric documents to cross the border. This innovation, which still needs to be deployed at all checkpoints, is intended to support overall security in the EU and ease border control procedures.