European borders will become safer

On Wednesday, MEPs supported the establishment of a single electronic system that will speed up checks at the external borders of the Schengen area and register all third-country nationals.
The new entry/exit system (IIS) will record information (name, fingerprints, facial photo, border crossing date and place) of entry, exit or refusal of entry of third-country nationals. Information will be collected both for travellers who need a visa and for those who do not need such a document for entry into the Schengen area.
THE IIS will also make it easier to determine whether a person complies with the conditions of temporary residence (not more than 90 days in a 180-day period).
The system will replace passports and speed up border crossing while making it easier to detect breaches of the rules.
Data storage

• The data will be stored for three years, but for persons who have breached the conditions of residence for five years;
• The data stored IN THE IIS will be accessible to prevent or investigate terrorist attacks or other serious crimes.

Access to data
The new system will ensure the exchange of information between border crossing points, thereby helping to prevent illegal immigration and to detect breaches of residence rules.

• The information will be available to border guards and authorities issuing visas;
• the data will also be accessible by Europol;
• the authorities of the Member States dealing with the processing of asylum claims will not have access TO THE EES.

Bulgaria and Romania also participate
IIS will maintain countries that the Schengen rules apply in full, as well as the countries subject to Schengen evaluation and access to the Visa Information System (VIS).Quotes
EP rapporteur Agustín Díaz de Mera (EPP, Spain): “the entry/exit system will allow faster and safer cross-border crossing. It will also help identify terrorists and other criminals who use false documents. '
Next steps:
The provisions already agreed with the Member States were approved by 470 votes against 139, with 50 abstentions.
THE IIS is expected to be launched in 2020.
On Wednesday, THE EP, with 496 votes against 137 and 32 abstentions, also adopted the amendments necessary to integrate the new IIS into the Schengen Borders Code.
Facts
THE proposal for the creation OF THE IIS is part of smart Borders Package, with which the European Commission came forward in April 2016. IIS costs are estimated at €480 million.
Additional information
Approved text (select 25.10.2017)
Video recording of the plenary debate (25.10.2017)
Video interview with EP rapporteur on IIS activities
EP Research Service: Smart Borders: EU Entry/Exit System (English)
Audio-visual materials for professionals