Hungary introduces EES system at all checkpoints on border with Ukraine - State Border Guard Service

As of October 28, a new biometric entry/exit control system, the EES (Entry/Exit System), has been introduced at all Hungarian checkpoints operating on the border with Ukraine, which involves the collection of biometric data of citizens. It was announced by the State Border Guard Service, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

"Since October 28, the Entry/Exit System (EES) has been implemented at those checkpoints that have not yet been connected since the beginning of its operation," the statement said.

It is noted that earlier, on October 12, according to the Hungarian side, the Beregsurány road checkpoint, which is opposite the Ukrainian Luzhanka checkpoint, was connected to the EES, and on October 21, the Záhony railway checkpoint was connected to the EES.

The checkpoints Dzvinkove-Lónyai, Luzhanka-Beregsurány, Kosyno-Barabás, Vylok-Tiszabecs, Velyka Palad-Nagyhódos, Chop (Tysa)-Záhony and Chop (Druzhba)-Záhony are operating on the Ukrainian-Hungarian border.

Border guards note that the functioning of the new system does not affect the overall process of border control and ask citizens to take this information into account when planning trips abroad.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, a new biometric entry/exit control system, EES (Entry/Exit System), has been launched in the European Union on October 12. It will automatically record the entries and exits of third-country nationals, including Ukrainians traveling to the Schengen area for a short period of time.

The system applies to short-term trips - up to 90 days within any 180 days.
The system will collect digital data: a face photo, fingerprints (for persons over 12 years old), passport data and the time and place of crossing the border with the EU, replacing the stamps in the passport. Failure to provide biometric data may be grounds for refusal of entry.

EES was introduced to speed up border control, improve security, accurately record the length of stay of foreigners in the EU, and combat illegal migration.