The European Commission proposed a progressive start of operations for the new digital border Entry/Exit System (EES).

Key Points:

  • As BAL reported, the European Commission announced in October the implementation date for the EES would be further delayed.
  • The proposal for progressive start would give EU member states six months to deploy the EES.
  • The proposed plan still needs to be approved, and then a date for the start of the system will be set by the Commission.

Additional Information: The proposal allows EU member states to progressively benefit from advantages and capabilities of the system, while border authorities and the transportation industry have more time to adjust to the new procedures.

BAL Analysis: The proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council. Once adopted, the EES Regulation will enter into force, allowing member states and eu-LISA to prepare for the progressive start of operations.

The EES has been delayed several times. It is intended to more easily identify travelers who have stayed in the EU longer than allowed, who do not have the right to enter the EU or who are involved in criminal or terrorist activity. The EU hopes to modernize border control and replace passport stamping with a digital record linking passports to biometric data.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.