Andorra Border Police Face Schengen Compliance Challenges After EU Entry/Exit System Launch

Police at Andorra's borders with Spain and France report heightened concerns over the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), now in force, which has removed visible passport stamps and left officers without initial checks on non-EU nationals' Schengen compliance.

Launched last Friday, the EES digitises entry and exit records for third-country nationals using biometric controls at equipped border points, aiming to end routine stamping while phasing it out over time. Andorran officers, however, lack passport scanners, direct Schengen database access, or connections—limitations government sources confirm will persist. Previously, ink stamps offered quick insights into entry/exit dates, countries, and stays exceeding the 90-day limit, enabling denials, informal queries via international contacts, or risk assessments. Without them, frontline staff describe operating without leads, even as Spain and France tighten enforcement on overstays.

Government officials acknowledge the gap but emphasise stamps were never comprehensive for security. Officers must now rely on ad-hoc filtering at sites like the Runer River crossing, using Andorra's own databases or Interpol where possible. For non-EU work visa applicants, self-certification of regular Schengen status is required—potentially via flight tickets or similar proof—pending bilateral border management agreements with neighbours. These pacts, outlined with the European Commission, promise enhanced police collaboration for vetting workers and random checks, though no timeline exists. The low season for hiring eases immediate pressures.