EU Introduces Biometric Border Control: What Will Change for Ukrainians.

According to inkorr.com: The European Union has begun implementing a new automated border control system, which requires the collection of biometric data from all individuals crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area.

This system is already in effect at three vehicle checkpoints on the Ukrainian-European border, as reported by Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, on air.

'The European Union had been preparing for this step for a long time. Although the implementation was postponed several times, the system finally went live on October 12. However, this does not mean the immediate activation of all checkpoints – the process will take place step by step,' - explained Demchenko.

Currently, three vehicle checkpoints on the Ukrainian-European border are connected to the new system: Shehyni (on the border with Poland), Solotvyno (with Romania), and Luzhanka (with Hungary).

Data Recorded by the System

The new automated system registers a set of data about each individual crossing the border:

• Biometric parameters: fingerprints and facial photograph
• Information from passport documents
• Data regarding the fact and time of crossing the border

'This is a unified database that will cover all European countries and the Schengen area. Border guards from different states will be able to receive necessary information about citizens crossing the border online,' - noted the spokesperson of the SBGS.

It is important to note that biometric data will be collected at every border crossing, forming a complete travel history of the individual through EU countries.

Demchenko emphasized that this innovation will not affect Ukrainians' right to visa-free travel to EU countries in any way.

'This is an additional level of security directly at the border. The system will prevent the use of forged documents and more effectively detect offenders who have exceeded their permitted stay in European countries,' - he explained.

According to the spokesperson, at the checkpoints where the new system has already been implemented, no significant complications or delays in the border crossing process have been observed.

The gradual implementation of the system at all checkpoints on the Ukrainian-European border will continue in the near future.

This initiative by the European Union aims to improve border security and simplify the control process. With the gradual implementation of the system, border guards will receive new tools for effective work, which could significantly impact the volume of illegal migration and the use of forged documents in the region.