Published on
September 3, 2025
Netherlands Joins Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, and More in Strengthening Border Security With sBMS Across Europe as part of a unified effort to enhance security and streamline migration management. As part of the EU’s biometric border control modernization program the Netherlands and other EU partners are integrating biometric border control to sBMS for focus, precision and speed. sBMSEU focuses on improving operational biometric border control capabilities and building a centralized biometric framework for the EU, thus, improving border control efficiency and security by lowering illegal immigration and cross border crime across multiple EU countries.
In a significant move to enhance border security, the Netherlands has become one of the first countries to adopt the Shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS), joining Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, and others in a collective effort to improve migration management, security, and identity verification across the European Union. Launched on August 25, 2025, by the European Union, the sBMS aims to transform border checks, making them faster, more accurate, and efficient by utilizing biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images.
Developed by IDEMIA Public Security in collaboration with Sopra Steria, the system is managed by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for overseeing large-scale IT systems related to security and justice. The sBMS is designed to integrate with other critical EU systems, including the Visa Information System (VIS), which tracks visa applications and border movements, and the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which is expected to launch between October 2025 and April 2026.
A New Era in Border Security and Migration Management
The Shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS) is at the heart of a European initiative to modernize and secure border control processes, and the Netherlands’ involvement in this launch marks an essential step toward ensuring a safer and more efficient border environment. The system is particularly focused on non-EU nationals, collecting and storing their biometric data in a central hub for quick identity verification. By linking the sBMS to existing EU databases, border officers can easily verify the identities of travelers entering the Schengen Area, ensuring that they are who they claim to be and preventing illegal migration.
The implementation of the sBMS is vital as it not only strengthens border checks but also enhances efforts in preventing cross-border crime, including terrorism and human trafficking, by enabling authorities to cross-reference biometric data in real-time. It forms a crucial part of the EU’s broader security strategy, which seeks to integrate multiple systems to increase the accuracy and speed of identity checks across Europe.
The Role of the EES and ETIAS
A significant element in this border security overhaul is the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which will begin recording the biometric data of every traveler entering and leaving the Schengen Area. The EES will collect fingerprints and facial images of all non-EU nationals, regardless of whether they require a visa for travel, ensuring a more streamlined and standardized process at border crossings.
At the same time, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), which is expected to be operational by late 2026, will require visa-exempt travelers—those from countries that do not require a visa for short stays in the Schengen Area—to obtain authorization before entering. ETIAS will combine its travel authorization process with the sBMS, making it an essential tool for border officers. As a result, even travelers who are visa-exempt will undergo biometric verification at the border, where their data is cross-checked against EU databases to verify their identity.
The integration of these systems, including the sBMS, EES, and ETIAS, will create a seamless approach to managing travelers, significantly reducing the risk of illegal entry, fraud, or misuse of travel documents.
How the sBMS Works
At its core, the sBMS is designed to store, manage, and match biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial recognition images, of non-EU nationals. This system ensures that travelers entering or exiting the Schengen Area can be accurately identified in real-time. If a traveler’s biometric data matches an existing record in the EU’s database, authorities can instantly confirm whether the individual is attempting to enter under false pretenses.
The sBMS allows EU border and migration officers to connect biometric information from various databases and systems. For instance, if an individual applies for a visa through the Visa Information System (VIS), their biometric data will be stored and matched against the sBMS upon entry or exit. This streamlined process helps authorities identify individuals who have overstayed visas, entered illegally, or have been involved in criminal activities, providing greater control and accuracy in managing Europe’s borders.
A Global Biometric Solution
The role of IDEMIA in providing the technology behind the sBMS cannot be overstated. The company is renowned for its cutting-edge biometric algorithms, which have been ranked as some of the best in the world. These algorithms ensure that the biometric data collected is processed both quickly and accurately, enabling border officers to confirm identities without delay.
On the technology front, Sopra Steria, another key player in the system’s development, has contributed its deep expertise in digital services and systems integration. The combination of IDEMIA’s high-performance biometric technology and Sopra Steria’s system integration expertise means that the sBMS can handle large volumes of biometric data across multiple countries and systems, processing records in real-time as individuals cross borders.
The integration of the sBMS with the EES and other systems in the EU’s growing interoperability framework will make it one of the largest biometric databases in the world, storing and cross-referencing the biometric data of millions of travelers each year.
Impact on Travelers
The implementation of the sBMS will significantly change how travelers interact with border authorities in the Schengen Area. In the coming years, travelers will experience biometric data collection at entry and exit points, particularly non-EU nationals who are subject to the EES and ETIAS requirements.
Non-EU nationals will now have their fingerprints and facial images taken when entering or leaving Europe, and this data will be matched against existing records in the sBMS. Even those from visa-exempt countries will be required to undergo these biometric checks, thanks to the ETIAS system, which will work in tandem with the sBMS.
For travelers who apply for long-term residence or asylum, the biometric data they provide will be matched with the sBMS to verify their identity. This enhanced verification process will allow authorities to ensure that those entering the EU are doing so with legitimate intentions, further reducing the risk of fraudulent asylum claims or illegal migration.
Strengthened Identity Verification
One of the most significant advantages of the sBMS is its ability to provide real-time identity verification at the Schengen Area’s external borders. By linking biometric data across multiple EU systems, including the EES and VIS, border officials can access a comprehensive identity profile for each traveler. This makes it easier for authorities to spot discrepancies, such as forged documents or duplicate identities, and improve overall border security.
As part of the EU’s broader commitment to improving border management and migration control, the sBMS will also streamline the process for legitimate travelers, allowing for quicker and more efficient border checks. Travelers who meet the necessary requirements will experience faster processing times, making the overall experience smoother for those entering or leaving the Schengen Area.
The 27 EU Member States Implementing the sBMS
The sBMS is being adopted by all 27 EU member states in the Schengen Area. These include:
AustriaBelgiumBulgariaCroatiaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaNetherlandsPolandPortugalRomaniaSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSweden
In addition, four Schengen Area Associated Countries are also adopting the system: Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
However, Ireland and Cyprus are not part of the Schengen Area and will not be implementing the sBMS at this time. Travelers to these countries are subject to different border control procedures.
The Future of Border Security in Europe
With the sBMS now operational and integrated with other EU systems, border security across Europe has entered a new era. As more member states adopt and implement the system, its role in strengthening migration management and identity verification will continue to grow.
The system is not just about security—it is about creating a balance between ensuring the safety of Europe’s borders while also facilitating legitimate travel. In the coming years, travelers will increasingly find themselves interacting with biometric systems at every major border crossing, whether they are entering through an airport, seaport, or land border.
For the EU, the sBMS represents a vital tool in the fight against illegal migration, cross-border crime, and terrorism. But it also reflects Europe’s commitment to modernizing its immigration and travel processes to make them more secure, efficient, and user-friendly for everyone involved.
The introduction of the Shared Biometric Matching System (sBMS) marks a major milestone in Europe’s efforts to modernize border security. Netherlands, along with Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, and others, is leading the charge in implementing this cutting-edge system, which promises to improve identity verification, prevent illegal migration, and enhance overall border control across the Schengen Area.
Netherlands Joins Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Greece, Denmark, and More in Strengthening Border Security With sBMS Across Europe to enhance identity verification and border control efficiency. This collaboration introduces a unified biometric system aimed at improving security, preventing illegal migration, and streamlining travel across EU borders.
By integrating the sBMS with the EES and ETIAS, Europe is building a more secure, efficient, and reliable system for managing the movement of people, all while protecting the safety and integrity of its borders. As the system continues to roll out across Europe, travelers can expect a more streamlined process, with biometric checks becoming the norm at border crossings throughout the continent.
