“Successful” launch of new border system

The Internal Security System (SSI) has reported positively on the launch of the new European border control system for non-EU citizens, which registered 10,774 entries on Sunday, almost all at airports.

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A joint statement from the SSI, PSP, and GNR indicates that the Entry/Exit System (EES) was launched on Sunday "successfully in all 29 Schengen Area Member States."

On its first day of operation, Portugal stood out at the European level, with 10,774 registered crossings, of which 10,749 were at air borders and 25 at sea borders, the same statement concludes.

The new European border control system for non-EU citizens went live on Sunday in Portugal and other Schengen countries. Entry and exit of travellers from third countries will now be recorded electronically, indicating the date, time, and border crossing point, replacing traditional passport stamps.

According to the SSI, the border crossing that recorded the highest number of entries into the country was Lisbon (5,751), followed by Faro (3,065) and Porto (1,441).

"The EES represents a historic milestone in the management of the European Union's external borders and a fundamental advance in the modernisation and digitalisation of border control. It will gradually replace the old manual passport stamping procedures with automated electronic registration, contributing to more rigorous, efficient, and secure control," the statement said.

The SIS also emphasises that, with the entry into operation of this system, "the European Union takes a decisive step in strengthening internal security and preventing irregular immigration."

Overstays

The system, which operates at airports and ports, also allows for the "automatic detection of overstays within the legal period of stay in the Schengen area," as well as interoperability with "other European databases."

According to the SSI, the information is shared in real time with the authorities of the Schengen countries through a centralised system that is interoperable with other European security databases (such as the Schengen Information System (SIS II) and the Visa Information System (VIS).

In Portugal, the SSI is responsible for implementing the system, in collaboration with the PSP (Public Security Police), the GNR (National Guard), ANA (Airports of Portugal), port authorities, and the National Civil Aviation Authority.