Smart Borders

Every year millions of travellers cross the external borders of the Schengen States. 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, the legislation to establish a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) was adopted.

On 4 December 2024, the Commission proposed to introduce a progressive start of operations for the Entry/Exit System (EES). On 19 May 2025, the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement. The Regulation (EU) 2025/1534 on temporary derogations from certain provisions of Regulations (EU) 2017/2226 and (EU) 2016/399 as regards the progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System was adopted on 18 July and entered into force on 26 July 2025. 

The European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice (eu-LISA) develops:

• EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026.
• ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.