The new European border control system for non-EU citizens comes into operation today in Portugal and other Schengen countries, replacing traditional passport stamps.
SAccording to the Internal Security System (ISS), the new European automated external border control system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), "applies to all non-EU citizens entering the territory for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period), regardless of whether they require a visa".
Among the changes to border control are "entries and exits of travelers from third countries, which will now be recorded electronically, indicating the date, time and border post," and the need for manual stamps in passports will no longer exist.
The system, which will operate 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, information is shared in real time with the authorities of the Schengen countries, through a centralized system that is interoperable with other European security databases (such as the Schengen Information System (SIS II) and the Visa Information System (VIS).
"With the EES, Portugal and the European Union now have a digital, secure, and interoperable system that allows for the faster detection of false documents, irregular entries, and other security threats. This places the country at the forefront of intelligent border management, strengthening the protection of external borders as well as cooperation and automatic data sharing between Member States," says Homeland Security.
In Portugal, the implementation of the system is ensured by the SSI, in conjunction with the PSP, the GNR, ANA - Aeroportos de Portugal, the port authorities and the National Civil Aviation Authority.