The Netherlands Starts Preparing Changes at EU’s External Borders

The Dutch government is gearing up for the changes to the EU's borders that will be in effect on May 2023.

The EU entry and exit system (EES), which includes the registration of all non EU nationals entering and leaving the Schengen Area will be in effect from May 2023, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The EES system in the Netherlands will be implemented at international borders crossing points in accordance with the EES Regulation. This was stated by a spokeswoman from the justice ministry.

She stated that this applies to maritime and air border crossings, which include Hoek van Holland and IJmuiden airports, Schiphol, Schiphol and Rotterdam, as well as stations in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Eurostar train stations.

DutchNews reports on the warnings made by the government about introducing self-service kiosks and mobile apps that allow third-country nationals to register before they visit. E-gates will be made available to them as well.

A Statewatch report also suggests that the Dutch authorities may adopt a progressive approach to data registration, meaning that only limited data will be recorded at Amsterdam and at maritime ferry crossing points.

The new system will be available to all Schengen member countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, and non-EU Schengen nations like Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania.

This system will be used to track the arrival and departure of visitors from non-Schengen nations at border crossings. This data includes the individual's name, travel documents, biometric data, fingerprints, and the length of their stay.

EES system will scan passports automatically and border guards won't be required anymore to stamp or check documents. Data will be stored in an EU-wide data base for three years and will be renewed with each entry.

Each entry and exit must be recorded. Visitors are also required to scan their documents. EU citizens and third-country nationals who are living in the Schengen region are exempt from the requirement to register with the EES system.

This system was created to improve border security and identify visitors who exceed their Schengen short-stay permits. The EU allows citizens of 63 countries to travel visa-free to the EU. They are permitted to stay for up to 90 days each 180-day period. The EES system is also designed to improve identification of criminals, terrorist suspects, and victims of crime.

There are security concerns, however, given that the system will contain sensitive information about millions of EU citizens each year, which could pose a threat to security. Some fear that delays could occur.

Six months later, in November, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System will (ETIAS), become operational. The system will be applicable to visitors from countries with a visa regime such as the United Kingdom, Mexico, Argentina, UEA and the USA.

 

Source: schengenvisainfo.com