The ECR Group welcomes the political agreement on the phased implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), following successful trilogue negotiations between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council.

ECR MEP Assita Kanko (N-VA), who served as rapporteur on the matter, hailed the outcome as “a breakthrough where security, responsibility, and common sense converge, and as a realistic plan to finally launch Europe’s digital borders”. The EES will replace manual passport stamping with a digital system that records when third-country nationals enter and leave the Schengen area. It is designed to detect overstaying and strengthen Europe’s external border controls.

“After years of delays, we now have a realistic and orderly roadmap for launching this essential security tool. There will be no chaos at the borders, but rather a controlled rollout”, Kanko said.

“Citizens expect decisiveness, and that is exactly what we have delivered”, she added.

Under the agreement, Member States will be able to activate the system gradually over 180 days. The text includes safeguards such as mandatory progress reporting, robust data protection provisions and a temporary emergency brake to prevent overload.

“Europe has waited too long. Now it’s up to the Member States to step up and deliver. The tools are ready, and so must we be”, Kanko concluded.

The European Parliament and the Council will now proceed with the formal adoption process. The Commission will then set the official launch date.