Preparing for the new border registration system
The European Union intends
to introduce a new, more effective border control procedure for those third-country
nationals wishing to enter the Schengen area.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is
a unified EU IT system designed and capable of recording and storing the
biometric and travel-related data of third-country nationals entitled to
short-term stays that cross the external borders of the countries operating the
EES.
On 10 April 2026, the phased implementation of the EES
system will be completed, and the European Entry/Exit System will begin full
operation in all European countries applying the EES Regulation, including
Hungary.
The aim of the EES system is to enhance the protection
of external borders and to support the prevention and management of irregular
migration. The EES also facilitates the identification of individuals who do
not comply with the rules of stay, and contributes to the prevention,
detection, and investigation of terrorist offences and other serious crimes.
Who is affected by the EES
Regulation?
Third-country nationals who
are entitled to enter Hungary for a short stay and who arrive at our country's
external borders. According to the EES Regulation, the police will create an
individual file on them.
It is estimated that this
will affect more than ten million travellers per year, for whom the time to
cross the border is expected to increase initially due to the more
time-consuming process of creating the individual file when individuals first
entry.
What data does the EES
system store?
- data listed in the travel document;
- date and place of the border crossing;
- traveller's facial image and
fingerprints;
- place of refusal of entry.
How long does the EES
system store personal data?
Generally, the EES system
stores the place and time of border crossing or the refusal of entry for three
years.
What national developments
and investments have taken place?
In Hungary, preparations
for the entry into operation of the system are proceeding according to plans.
To minimise the disruption caused by the introduction of the EES at our
borders, the Hungarian Police – with the support of EU funds – has started in
due time the development of the Hungarian National Border Control and
Registration System, as well as the procurement of technical equipment required
for its operation.
Further information: https://www.police.hu/hu/hirek-es-informaciok/hatarinfo and https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees_en
