EES. Fundamental rights implications of the Entry/Exit System

The project Fundamental rights implications of the Entry/Exit System aims to support member states and EU institutions in the preparatory phase of the implementation of the European Union new Entry/Exit System (EES) concerning fundamental rights.

Based on Regulation EU 2017/2226, the EES is a database that will record and store information on the entry and exit of third-country nationals, with or without a visa requirement, travelling to the EU.

This multi-purpose tool will be primarily aimed at improving the management of the external borders of the Schengen area, preventing irregular migration, and facilitating the management of migration flows by supporting the objectives of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and the Visa Information System (VIS).

All large-scale IT systems will be interoperable, i.e., able to communicate and exchange data on third-country nationals applying for visas, residence permits, or travel authorisation.

As a secondary objective, the EES will function as a law enforcement tool in relation to terrorism and serious crimes. 

As lead partners of the project, Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini, with the support of country experts from France, Germany, Bulgaria, Poland and Estonia, will coordinate the research team, conduct the analysis on Italy, and write the two final reports.

Specifically, the research will address the implications of the system on fundamentals rights such as human dignity, right to information and to data protection.

It will also include children's rights, as these may be affected throughout the various stages of the border crossing, such as travelling to the EU, managing queues, providing biometric and alphanumeric data during both automated border control (through ABC gates, automated e-gates, and mobile gates), and manual control at desks in case of non-compliance of data. Research fields will include border checkpoints (sea, land and airport) with high-passenger traffic in Italy, France, Germany, Bulgaria, Poland and Estonia.

The purpose of the research is also to provide the point of view of operators, as an attempt to gather issues arising in the application and use of the EES system in view of its future consolidation.

Project deliverables

The comparative report will provide an overview of the results of the project activities, including suggestions and local operational guidance to operators responsible for border controls in various capacities. The technical report will provide precise identifications of the methodology of the research.