Operational issues of the European Control System (EES) at the border recorded in Cluj

The new European border control system, Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to replace passport stamps with digital checks, continues to face difficulties.

A recent incident at the airport in Cluj-Napoca, where a British citizen was stopped due to a confusion with her twin sister, highlights the operational issues of the system. Romanian authorities stated that the woman's exit from a trip to Amsterdam had not been recorded, even though she had not traveled there.

The confusion was due to physical resemblance, a common surname, and identical birth dates. Specialist Niovi Vavoula explained that errors could arise from incorrect recording of the exit and insufficient checks by the authorities. The European Commission emphasized that member states are responsible for the data in the system, and travelers can request corrections of errors. The EES system, active since March 2, 2023, particularly affects British citizens after Brexit.