New era in EU border control: Fingerprint and facial recognition could launch this year
The European Union is set to gradually roll out a new border registration system that will digitally log data from travellers arriving from non-EU countries. The goal is to strengthen border security, improve screening, and facilitate smoother crossings.
A new era in EU border management
As VG reports, the European Union will begin the phased implementation of its new border registration system on 12 October. This initiative is set to overhaul how borders are managed across the EU. The system will digitally record entry and exit data for all short-term visitors arriving from outside the EU into 29 participating European countries, including those in the Schengen Area.
Traditional passport stamping will gradually be replaced by biometric identification, with fingerprints, facial images, and other travel data collected. This move aims not only to boost administrative efficiency but also to enhance EU border security.
Safer and more transparent border management
According to the European Commission, the advanced technological system will significantly improve administrative procedures along EU borders. With digital data collection, authorities will gain more accurate insights into entries and exits, making it easier to detect overstays and more effectively identify document fraud or identity abuse.
Beyond enhancing border security, the system is also intended to curb irregular migration. Authorities will be able to generate more precise statistics and allocate resources more efficiently along the EU’s external borders
Smoother transition expected
The rollout will unfold gradually over six months, starting on 12 October, giving member states time to transition step by step. During this period, border control authorities will begin to partially implement the new procedures. This phased approach is designed to help travellers, stakeholders in the transport sector, and national administrations adjust seamlessly.
Airports and border checkpoints across the EU will conduct information campaigns to help travellers understand the new system. The overarching goal is to make EU border crossings safer and more streamlined without negatively affecting the travel experience.
Innovation
The border registration system is not a standalone initiative—it forms part of the EU’s broader smart borders strategy. This includes the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the expanded use of automated border control systems. These unified, modern technologies aim to create a more consistent, faster, and more reliable border experience across the EU.
The system will operate under the highest standards of data protection and privacy, ensuring that travellers’ rights are respected. At the heart of these changes are the principles of safety, freedom, and legality—all geared towards building a more effective and modern EU border management system.
Read more travel-related news on Daily News Hungary.
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- End of passport stamps: EU rolls out massive digital border system – What travellers need to know!
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