Every year millions of travellers from third countries cross the external borders of the Schengen States and estimations point to ever-increasing traveller flows. Some of the visitors have a short-stay visa, while others come from countries where no visas are required. This requires modern, effective and efficient management of the external borders which strikes a balance between facilitation for travellers and internal security.
There are several pieces of legislation, which regulate Schengen border crossings. In addition to these, the Entry/Exit System (EES) Regulation and the related amendment of the Schengen Borders Code as regards the use of the EES were adopted in 2017. Furthermore, in 2018 legislation was also adopted as regards the establishment of a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS).
The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) is now developing the
The Entry/Exit System (EES) will be an automated IT system for registering travelers from third-countries, both short-stay visa holders and visa exempt travelers, each time they cross an EU external border.
ETIAS will be a largely automated IT system created to identify security, irregular migration or high epidemic risks posed by visa-exempt visitors travelling to the Schengen States.