Results of the automated border control survey 2018 : report.
Date: 2022-10-19
Institutions: Frontex
Subjects: biometrics, border control, data processing, external border of the EU, personal data, report, third country

Results of the Automated 
Border Control (ABC) 
Survey 2018 
Report

Results of the Automated 
Border Control (ABC)  
Survey 2018 
Report

Legal notice
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or body of the European Union. Neither the European Border and Coast Guard Agency nor any 
person or company acting on behalf of the European and Coast Guard Agency is responsible for 
the use that may be made of the information contained in this report.

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Table of Contents

Glossary of key terms  #8

Acronyms and abbreviations  #11

Executive summary  #12

Results of the Automated Border  
Control (ABC) Survey 2018  #14

1.  Operational, piloted and planned ABC systems  #15
1.1.  Number of operational e-gates in 2018  #15
1.2.   Progress in ABC implementation and projected number of 

operational e-gates in 2019  #17
Implementation plans and pilots in surveyed Member States  #18

1.3 
1.4  Expansions plans in surveyed Member States  #19

2  ABC throughput in 2018  #20

2.1  Comparative ABC throughput per MS/SAC in comparison to total 

ABC throughput  #20

2.2  Use of ABC systems by third country nationals (TCNs)  #21

3  ABC biometric modalities and configurations  #22

4  Eligibility for ABC use  #23

4.1  Eligibility information for Member States and Schengen Associated 

Countries’ citizens  #24

4.2  Eligibility information for third-country nationals (visa-

exempt)  #24

5  ABC system stakeholders  #24

6  Development of ABC systems linked to the implementation of the 

Entry/Exit System  #25

Conclusion and summary  #26

Data annex  #27

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All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means elec-
tronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information 
storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Before citing the Results of the Automated Border Control (ABC) Survey 2018, 
the following procedure should be observed.

1.  Please contact the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Research and 
Innovation Unit in order to get the latest version of the guidelines and sup-
port for using them in your document.

In the introductory part of the document:

2.  Include a brief text declaring that the Results of the Automated Border Con-
trol (ABC) Survey 2018 have been used in the document. Mention explicitly 
which sections in the document are (totally or partially) based on these.

3.  Explain briefly why the Results of the Automated Border Control (ABC) Sur-
vey 2018 have been used in the document, and in case of total or partial use 
of  particular  sections,  explicitly  state  why  these  sections  are  copied  in  full 
and what the added value is. Provide some background about how using the 
Results of the Automated Border Control (ABC) Survey 2018 best serves the 
purposes of the document.

4.  Briefly mention that the Results of the Automated Border Control (ABC) Sur-
vey 2018 were produced by a collaborative effort among EU Member States, 
coordinated by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency).

In the body of the document:

5.  In those parts of the document based on the Results of the Automated Bor-
der Control (ABC) Survey 2018, make a reference to the Frontex document 
(see references below).

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Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018In the references section:

6.  Include a proper reference to the Results of the Automated Border Control 
(ABC) Survey 2018 (title, version and issuing date, ISBN reference, plus a link 
to the Frontex web page hosting the latest version).

7.  Include the Agency Research and Innovation Unit contact data at the end of 

the document.

For the above purposes, please use the information below.

Research and Innovation Unit
Capacity Building Division
Frontex – European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
T +48 22 205 9625
riu@frontex.europa.eu

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List of Figures

Figure 1:   overview of the state of play of ABC implementation as of 

December 2018. 

15

Figure 2:   Number of operational e-gates in MS/SAC in 2018 

16

Figure 3:   Total number of operational e-gates in 31 MS/SAC from 2016 to 2018 

with forecast for 2019 

17

Figure 4:   Number of operational e-gates per MS/SAC in 2017 and 2018 with 

forecast for 2019 

18

Figure 5:   Comparative throughput per MS/SAC in percentage of total ABC 

throughput in 2018  20

Figure 6:   TCN-VE ABC throughput in percentage of total ABC throughput 

in 5 countries  21

Figure 7:   Number of MS/SAC with expansion or implementation plans due 

to EES  25

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Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018List of Tables

Table 1: 

 Number of operational e-gates from 2017 to 2018 by BCP type and gate 

typology 

16

Table 2: 

 Biometric modalities and configurations of ABC systems  22

Table 3: 

 Information on ABC state of play: operational, planned and pilot e-gates 
in all 31 surveyed states  28

Table 4: 

 MS/SAC citizens’ eligibility information for ABC systems  30

Table 5: 

 TCN-VE eligibility information for the use of ABC systems  31

Table 6: 

 ABC systems stakeholders in 32 MS/SAC  33

Table 7: 

 Number of e-gates by BCP and gate types, per MS/SAC  35

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Glossary of key terms

Automated border control (ABC) system: An automated system that verifies 
the electronic machine-readable travel document or token, establishes that the 
traveller is its rightful holder, queries border control records, then determines el-
igibility to cross the border according to pre-defined rules.

Biometric data: Biometric sample or aggregation of biometric samples at any 
stage of processing, e.g. biometric reference, biometric probe, biometric feature 
or biometric property (ISO/IEC 2382-37:2012).

Biometric  recognition  /  biometrics:  Automated  recognition  of  individuals 
based on their biological and behavioural characteristics (ISO/IEC 2382-37:2012).

Biometric verification: Process of confirming a biometric claim through biom-
etric comparison (ISO/IEC 2382-37:2012).

Border checks: The checks carried out at border crossing points to ensure that 
persons, including their means of transport and the objects in their possession, 
may be authorised to enter the territory of the Member State or authorised to 
leave  it  (Schengen  Borders  Code,  Article  2[11]).  See  also  ‘border  crossing  point 
(BCP)’The checks carried out at border crossing points to ensure that persons, 
including their means of transport and the objects in their possession, may be 
authorised to enter or leave the territory of the Member State (Schengen Bor-
ders Code, Article 2[11]). See also ‘border crossing point (BCP)’.

Border control: The activity carried out at a border, in accordance with and for 
the purpose of the Schengen Borders Code, in response exclusively to an inten-
tion to cross or the act of crossing that border, consisting of border checks and 
border surveillance (Schengen Borders Code, Article 2[10]).

Border crossing point:  Any  crossing  point  authorised  by  the  competent  au-
thorities for the crossing of external borders (Schengen Borders Code, Article 8).

Configuration: The physical setup of the ABC system and e-Gate, which can 
be either one-step integrated, two-step integrated or two-step segregated.

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Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018Entry/Exit System: This system will register entry, exit and refusal of entry in-
formation of third-country nationals crossing the external borders of the Schen-
gen area.1

e-gate: One of the components of the ABC system, consisting of a physical bar-
rier operated by electronic means.

e-ID: An electronically enabled card used as an identity document.

e-passport: A machine readable passport containing a Contactless Integrated 
Circuit chip which stores data from the data page, a biometric measure of the 
passport holder and a security object to protect the data with public key infra-
structure cryptographic technology, and which conforms to the specifications 
of ICAO Doc 9303, Part 1.

EU citizen: Any person with the nationality of an EU Member State, within the 
meaning of Article 20(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Integrated Two-Step Process: One of the possible typologies of ABC systems. 
In an ABC system designed as an integrated two-step process the traveller ini-
tiates the verification of the document and of the traveller’s eligibility to use the 
system at the first stage, and then if successful moves to a second stage where 
a biometric comparison and other applicable checks are carried out. This typol-
ogy is invariably implemented by using a mantrap e-Gate. See also ’One Step Pro-
cess’ and ’Segregated Two-Step Process’.

Member State: A country that is a member of the European Union. Within the 
context of this report the term also applies to those countries that, not being 
EU members, are members of the Schengen area.

One-Step  Process:  One  of  the  possible  typologies  of  ABC  systems.  An  ABC 
system designed as a one-step process combines the verification of the travel-
ler and the traveller’s passage through the border. This design allows the trav-
eller  to  complete  the  entire  transaction  in  one  single  process.  It  usually  takes 
the form of a mantrap e-Gate. See also ’Integrated Two-Step Process’ and ’Segre-
gated Two-Step Process’.

1  Council of the European Union, “Entry-exit system: final adoption by the Council”, Consilium, available at: 

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/11/20/entry-exit-system-final-adoption-
by-the-council/ [accessed on 23.02.2018].

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Registered traveller programme: A scheme aiming to facilitate border cross-
ing for frequent, pre-vetted travellers, often making use of ABC systems.

Segregated Two-Step Process: One of the possible typologies of ABC systems. 
In an ABC system designed as a Segregated Two-Step Process the process of trav-
eller verification and of passage through the border control are completely sep-
arated. The traveller verifies at the first stage, a tactical biometric is captured or 
a token is issued, and then the traveller proceeds to the second stage where the 
tactical biometric or token is checked to allow exit. It typically takes the form 
of a kiosk for verification of the document and the holder, while border crossing 
occurs at an e-Gate. See also ’One-Step Process’ and ’Integrated Two-Step Process’.

Third-country national (visa exempt): Any person who is not an EU citizen 
within the meaning of Article 20(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the Eu-
ropean Union and who is not a person enjoying the Union right to freedom of 
movement (Schengen Borders Code, Article 2[6]), but is exempt from a visa. See 
also ‘EU citizen’.

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Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018Acronyms and abbreviations

ABC 
BCP 
EES 
e-ID 
EU 
ICAO 
MS 
RTP 
SAC 
SBC 
TCN 

automated border control
border crossing point
Entry/Exit System
electronic identity document
European Union
International Civil Aviation Organization
Member State
registered traveller programme
Schengen associated country
Schengen Borders Code
third-country national

11 of 37

Executive summary

The Automated Border Control (ABC) survey is an annual survey conducted by 
the Research and Innovation Unit of Frontex to collect information on the state 
of play of ABC systems in the EU Member States and Schengen Associated Coun-
tries2 (hereinafter referred to as ‘MS/SAC’, ‘surveyed states’ or simply ‘states’). 
The purpose of the survey is to gather information on the implementation, us-
age and setup of ABC systems in the European Union and Schengen associated 
countries and also to collect other data to identify best practices and areas that 
may require further harmonisation. The survey was sent to all 32 MS/SAC in mid-
June 2019 and responses were received from 31.

As of December 2018, 19 MS/SAC have operational e-gates in place, 10 of which 
have plans for the installation of additional e-gates. Of those surveyed states with 
no operational ABC systems, six have plans to implement them in the short to 
long term. Two surveyed states (Poland and Switzerland) reported ongoing pi-
lots with ABC systems.3 The objectives stated by MS/SAC that are implementing 
ABC systems include: increasing traveller throughput capacity, enhancing secu-
rity, improving human resources management and preparing for the implemen-
tation of the Entry/Exit System (EES).

As of December 2018, there are 1,587 operational e-gates across the surveyed 
states. This constitutes a 16.10% increase from the 1,366 operational e-gates of 
2017. Respondents expressed plans to introduce a total of 458 additional e-gates 
in 2019, bringing the projected total to 2,045 operational e-gates. According to 
reported plans, an estimated 2,150 e-gates will be operational in the surveyed 
states by the end of 2020.

Based on figures reported by 18 MS/SAC for average ABC throughput, the total 
number of border crossings facilitated by ABC in all MS/SAC is estimated at 131.7 
million for 2018. The average throughput per e-gate for the year 2018 reached 
83,059, or 7,250 per month.

In terms of comparative ABC throughput per MS/SAC, the largest volume was 
reported by the United Kingdom (53 million), which represents 40% of total ABC 
throughput for 18 MS/SAC.4 Germany processed 17 million border crossings through 
e-gates, representing 13% of total ABC throughput in those states. Concerning 
ABC throughput of third-country nationals (TCN-VE), seven of the surveyed states 

2  Schengen Associated countries, also European Free Trade Area Members states (i.e. Iceland, 

Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

3  Poland and Switzerland confirmed that the ABC systems that were piloted in 2018 became operational in 

2019, which brings the number of MS/SAC with operational e-gates to 21 in 2019.

4  Please note that this number includes only 18 MS/SAC, i.e. those that provided data on the topic of ABC 

throughput.

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Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018allow for TCN-VE to cross the border using e-gates (with or without Registered 
traveller programmes). Out of these seven MS/SAC, five reported on ABC through-
put by TCN-VE. In 2018, there were two million border crossings of TCN-VE using 
ABC systems, representing 6% of the total ABC throughput in those five states.

Concerning eligibility criteria for the use of ABC systems, the 21 surveyed states 
with either pilot ABC systems (2) or operational ABC systems (19) all reported 
that MS/SAC citizens can use e-gates with a valid e-passport; 12 states require 
travellers to be at least 18 years of age, 7 reported a variation of minimum age 
from 12 to 16 years old, and two did not set a minimum age for use (Finland and 
Cyprus). Finland applies height restrictions instead of age as an eligibility criteria, 
and in Cyprus minors need to be accompanied by an adult. Seven MS/SAC also 
permit the use of e-gates with their respective national e-ID cards.

Seven MS/SAC reported that their ABC systems can be used by some third-coun-
try nationals (TCNs), with the majority of states (four) having set a minimum age 
between 12 and 16, two requiring travellers to be 18, and one allowing TCNs of 
all ages to cross their border using their ABC system.

With regard to ABC systems set-up or configuration, 16 of the surveyed coun-
tries deploy the two-step integrated configuration, while four deploy the one-
step configuration, and one is deploying the two-step segregated configuration. 
Concerning the use of biometrics for identity verification, 20 MS/SAC deploy ABC 
systems based on face recognition; four use fingerprints and three use both face 
and fingerprint recognition. It is important to point out that in the EU, ABC sys-
tems that allow for identity verification using fingerprints are only accessible to 
the nationals of the country that deploys that solution.

With regard to the implementation of the EES, 19 MS/SAC plan to implement 
ABC systems and/or expand their current ABC solutions in response to the com-
ing EES. Four Member States have not yet made any decision in this regard, and 
another seven are currently not planning any further expansions in relation to 
the coming EES. Different configurations are envisaged, including self-service ki-
osks, e-gates with biometric (facial or fingerprint) recognition, sometimes com-
plemented by manual border checks.

The report concludes that Member States and Schengen associated countries 
will continue to expand their ABC infrastructure in the near future to manage the 
growing traveller flows at all border crossing points (BCPs) and to comply with 
the requirements set forth by the EES Regulation. Due to the growing volume 
and proportion of travellers being processed by ABC systems, automated border 
control is expected to become an increasingly important part of border checks.

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Results of the Automated Border  
Control (ABC) Survey 2018

The ABC survey is an annual survey conducted by Frontex Research and The ABC 
survey was sent to 32 MS/SAC in mid-June 2019. Responses were received from 
31 of the surveyed states. In order to arrive at a comprehensive overview of the 
state of play of ABC implementations in the EU, data from the 2017 ABC survey 
was used for verification. Additionally, where information was publicly available, 
it was used to identify missing information for MS/SAC that did not provide any 
data. However, it is important to underline that for this report European Border 
and Coast Guard Agency relies entirely on self-reported data.

14 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 20181.  Operational, piloted and planned ABC systems

As of the date of the survey, 19 MS/SAC5 have operational ABC systems deployed 
at various BCPs. Among these, 10 reported plans for additional e-gates. Of those 
Member States with no operational ABC systems, six have plans to implement 
them in the short to medium term. Additionally, two surveyed states, Poland and 
Switzerland, reported ongoing ABC system pilots. Finally, four Member States 
reportedly have no operational ABC systems and no plans for implementation 
(Cyprus, Estonia, Liechtenstein and Sweden). Malta did not report on the state 
of its ABC systems6.

No info (1)

No plans (4)

Planned 
implementation (6)

Pilot (2)

Malta

Cyprus

Estonia

Liechtenstein

Sweden

Croatia

Latvia

Lithuania

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Switzerland

Poland

Operational with 
no expansions 
planned (9)

Operational 
with planned 
expansions (10)

Austria

Bulgaria

Denmark

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Belgium

Czechia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Portugal

Spain

United Kingdom

Figure 1. overview of the state of play of ABC implementation as of December 2018.

1.1.  Number of operational e-gates in 2018

As  of  December  2018,  there  are  1,587  operational  e-gates  across  19  MS/SAC.7 
Nineteen Member States have operational e-gates, 12 do not.8

5  Poland and Switzerland confirmed that the ABC systems that were piloted in 2018 became operational in 

2019, what brings the number of MS/SAC with operational e-gates to 21 in 2019.

6  Malta is therefore not represented in tables, chart and figures.
7  Based on expansion and implementation plans reported by MS/SAC, the projected number of e-gates for 

2019 is 2,045. For more details, please see part 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4.

8  Pilot ABC systems are not considered operational e-gates, even if a MS/SAC indicated that e-gates 
became operational by the time they reported on 2018 data. Hence, information on Poland and 
Switzerland is not taken into consideration when displaying 2018 data on operational e-gates in this 
report, even though both countries have operational e-gates from 2019. Information on both countries is 
integrated in the 2019 forecast.

15 of 37

The figure below displays the number of e-gates per MS/SAC in 2018. Spain has 
the  highest  number  of  operational  e-gates,  with  504,  followed  by  the  United 
Kingdom (264), and Germany (194).

600

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Figure 2. Number of operational e-gates in MS/SAC in 2018.

The  surveyed  states  were  also  asked  to  report  on  the  type  of  e-gates  (entry, 
exit, bi-directional, and transit) and on the type of BCP where ABC systems are 
implemented. Table 1 displays the breakdown of e-gates by type of e-gate and 
type of BCP.

Table 1. Number of operational e-gates from 2017 to 2018 by BCP type and gate typology

Gate type

Entry

Exit

Bidirectional

Transit

Subtotal

Total

2017

Land

22

13

0

0

35

Air

815

487

3

13

1318

Sea

Air

6

4

3

0

913

593

3

15

13

1524

2018

Land

Sea

32

18

0

0

50

6

4

3

0

13

1366

1587

In  2018,  the  vast  majority  of  e-gates  were  located  at  airports,  with  a  total  of 
1,524 e-gates for those 19 countries. There are in addition 50 e-gates at land BCPs 
and 13 at sea BCPs. E-gates also serve mainly the purpose of either entry or exit: 

16 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018 
 
 
 
very few installations are deployed for bi-directional traveller flow or for travel-
lers in transit. Therefore, as with previous reporting years, the most important 
progression in the number of e-gates between 2017 and 2018 takes place at air 
BCPs, for entry and exit e-gates.

For a complete overview of BCP and gate types per MS/SAC, see table 7 in Annex.

1.2.  Progress in ABC implementation and projected number of 
operational e-gates in 2019

The  increase  in  the  number  of  e-gates  for  all  surveyed  states  is  shown  in  the 
chart below. As of December 2018, there were 1,587 operational e-gates across 
19 MS/SAC. This constitutes a 16.1% increase from the 1,366 operational e-gates 

2045

1366

1587

Projected growth 

for 2019

2500

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0

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716

2016

2017

2018

2019

that were reported in 2017.
Figure 3. Total number of operational e-gates in 31 MS/SAC from 2016 to 2018 with 

forecast for 2019.

In addition, implementation plans and expansion plans for 2019 reported in the 
2018 survey allow for a forecast of the number of operational e-gates in 2019: 
a total number of 2,045 operational e-gates across the EU, which would repre-
sent a 28.8% increase compared to 2018.

Figure 4 shows the development in number of e-gates per MS/SAC from 2017 to 
2018 and includes the forecast for 2019. The forecast is based on expansion or 
implementation plans reported by MS/SAC.

17 of 37

 
 
 
700

600

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2017

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CY EE LI

SK SI SE CH RO LV LT HR HU EL DK LU IS BG CZ NO BE IE PO AT NL FI PT IT FR DE UK ES

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6

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0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 0 0 17

0 5

0 0 1

0 0 54 27 17

15

12

75

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

6

8

0 12

16 17

4 24 20 0 25 77 38 74 70 11

17

24 42

Figure 4. Number of operational e-gates per MS/SAC in 2017 and 2018 with 

forecast for 2019.

1.3  Implementation plans and pilots in surveyed Member States

As of December 2018, of the 12 Member States that do not have operational e-
gates in place, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia have 
planned  future  implementation  of  e-gates.  In  addition  to  these  implementa-
tion plans, Switzerland and Poland are conducting ABC system pilots in 2018.

Croatia plans to implement 19 e-gates in total between 2019 and 2020 at three 
major airports: at Zagreb Airport (six), Dubrovnik airport (five e-gates) and Split 
airport (eight e-gates).

Latvia plans to implement eight e-gates for entry at Riga International Airport.

Lithuania plans to implement 10 e-gates at Vilnius Airport in 2019.

Romania plans to implement six e-gates, by the end of 2019 at Bucharest Henri 
Coandă International Airport.

Slovakia  plans  to  implement  10  e-gates  at  Letisko  M.  R.  Štefánika  Airport  in 
Bratislava in 2020.

Slovenia plans to implement two to three e-gates at Ljubljana Airport by the 
end of 2021.

18 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018 
 
 
Switzerland is running a pilot with 13 e-gates at Zurich Airport.9 It also has plans 
to run another pilot with two additional e-gates in 2019 and to implement 13 e-
gates in 2020, all at Geneva Airport.

Poland has conducted a pilot with 25 e-gates both at Chopin airport (20) and 
Modlin airport (five) in 2018.10

1.4  Expansions plans in surveyed Member States

As of December 2018, ten MS/SAC with operational e-gates have plans for fur-
ther expansions.

Belgium plans to implement 12 additional e-gates (entry and exit) at Charleroi 
Airport and four e-gates (exit) at Brussels South Railway Station (Eurostar) by 
the end of 2020.

Czechia has plans to deploy three additional e-gates at Vaclav Havel Airport in 
Prague by 2021.

In Finland the current e-gates at Helsinki will be renewed in 2019 with the de-
ployment of 50 new one-step e-gates, 30 of which will be located at entry and 
20 at exit. This renewal is planned to take place before the end of 2019.

France has plans for 105 additional e-gates. Those in Paris (21), Lyon (10), Cal-
ais (Eurotunnel, eight), and Marseille (two) will be implemented in 2019. Plans 
for the implementation of e-gates in Toulouse (16), Bâle-Mulhouse (10), Nantes 
(12), Bordeaux (10), Calais (seaport, eight) and Beauvais (eight) should be com-
pleted by the end of 2020.

Germany plans to add 30 e-gates at airports in Frankfurt/Main, Düsseldorf, Ber-
lin-Schönefeld and Munich by 2019.

Greece plans to add seven e-gates (three at entry and four at exit) at Athens In-
ternational Airport in 2019.

Hungary is installing 12 e-gates (eight entry and four exit) at Budapest airport 
(to replace an old e-gate) and two entry e-gates at Debrecen airport in 2019.

Portugal plans to expand and replace 49 e-gates in 2019.

9  The e-gates piloted in Zurich in 2018 became operational in 2019, according to Zurich airport website.
10  The 25 e-gates were implemented on 27 June 2019 and are now operational, according to the official 

reporting of Poland.

19 of 37

Spain plans to implement 209 new e-gates from 2019 onwards: 30 in Gran Ca-
naria, 36 in Fuerteventura, 48 in Lanzarote, 17 in Bilbao (totalling 121 e-gates to 
be installed in 2019), three in Seville (to be installed in 2020), 30 in Valencia, eight 
in Reus, seven in Gerona, and 30 Tenerife Sur (for which no exact implementa-
tion timeline has been reported).

Finally, the United Kingdom has extension plans for five e-gates in Cardiff, to 
be implemented by March 2019.

2  ABC throughput in 2018

ABC throughput refers to the number of border crossings facilitated through ABC 
systems. ABC throughput numbers were reported by 18 surveyed MS/SAC for 
2018. Here, the total reported ABC throughput in 2018 amounted to 131,732,276 
border crossings. The total number of e-gates in those 18 MS/SAC that provided 
data amounted to 1,586. Subsequently, the average yearly throughput per e-gate 
was 83,059 in 2018, and the average monthly throughput per e-gate was 7,250.

2.1  Comparative ABC throughput per MS/SAC in comparison to total 
ABC throughput

The figure below shows individual ABC throughput for each of the 18 MS/SAC, 
as a percentage of total ABC throughput.

Comparative ABC throughput per MS in % of total 
ABC throughput in 18 MS in 2018 

Luxembourg

Bulgaria

Greece

Norway

Iceland

Austria

Denmark

Finland

Ireland

Czech Republic

Belgium

Portugal

France

Italy

Spain

Netherlands

Greece
0.3%

Bulgaria
0.2%

Luxembourg
0.1%

United Kingdom
40.2%

Iceland
0.7%

Austria
1.2%
Denmark
1.2%

Norway
0.6%

Finland
1.8%

Ireland
1.9%

Czech Republic
2.0%

Belgium
2.4%

Portugal
2.7%
France
6.2%

Italy
6.8%

Spain
9.3%

Germany
13.0%

Netherlands
9.4%

Figure 5. Comparative throughput per MS/SAC in percentage of total ABC 

throughput in 2018.

20 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 20182.2  Use of ABC systems by third country nationals (TCNs)

Seven countries (Czechia, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and 
the UK) reported the possibility for TCNs of certain nationalities to use ABC sys-
tems at their BCPs. Of these seven countries, five reported the number of border 
crossings by TCNs for the year 2018 (Czechia, Finland, Germany, Italy and Portugal).

In Czechia the ABC throughput for TCNs amounted to 31,908 border crossings. 
Czechia authorises only South Koreans to use e-gates.

In Finland there were 397,055 border crossings by TCNs from Japan, South Ko-
rea, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.

In Germany the number of border crossings facilitated by e-gates by TCNs from 
the United States, Hong Kong and South Korea amounted to 354,963.

Italy had 1,189,657 TCNs crossing its borders using e-gates in 2018. Italy allows 
citizens from the United States, Vatican, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, 
South Korea, Israel, Singapore, San Marino and Monaco to use its ABC systems.

In Portugal ABC throughput for TCNS amounted to 106,764 border crossings, with 
nationals from Angola, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, 
South Korea, Venezuela and the United States authorised to use ABC systems.

For these five Member States that reported on ABC throughput for TCNs, TCNs 
represent 6% of total ABC throughput.

Finland  reported  the  highest  proportion  of  ABC  throughput  for  TCNs,  repre-
senting 16.3% of its total ABC throughput. The second highest proportion was 
reported by Italy, with 13.3% of total ABC throughput. TCNs represent 3% of ABC 
throughput in Portugal, 2% in Germany and 1.2% in Czechia.

ABC throughput (year)

ABC throughput for TCNs (year)

6%

94%

Figure 6. TCN-VE ABC throughput in percentage of total ABC throughput in 

5 countries.

21 of 37

3  ABC biometric modalities and configurations

ABC systems may rely on different biometric modalities for the purpose of biom-
etric verification at the border (1:1 verification), the most common modality being 
the face. ABC systems are primarily organised following three different configu-
rations: one-step, two-step integrated, two-step segregated.

Table 2. Biometric modalities and configurations of ABC systems

BIOMETRIC MODALITY AND CONFIGURATION OF ABC SYSTEMS

State

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Biometric modality

Configuration

Face

Fingerprint

Other

One-step

Two-step
integrated

Two-step 
segregated

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X 

X

X

X

22 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

TOTAL

X

X

X

X 

X

X

20

X 

4

0

X

X

4

X

X 

X

X 

X

16

1

Twenty of the 21 countries with operational or pilot ABC systems use face rec-
ognition for biometric checks on travellers. Among these 20 countries, France, 
Italy and Spain use a combination of face recognition and fingerprint reading for 
biometric checks. Finally, only Hungary uses only fingerprints, thus currently al-
lowing only Hungarian nationals to use their ABC system. It has been reported 
by Hungary that the ABC systems planned for 2019 will also be able to perform 
biometric verification for face images, meaning that Hungary will be able to pro-
cess non-nationals through their ABC systems.

The two-step integrated configuration is deployed by 16 Member States, while 
the  one-step  configuration  is  deployed  by  four  and  the  two-step  segregated 
configuration  is  currently  deployed  by  one  Member  State  (Hungary).  Spain  is 
the only country to deploy both one-step and two-step segregated configura-
tions at its BCPs.

4  Eligibility for ABC use

Eligibility for ABC use defines the type of traveller that can use the e-gates. In 20 
out of 21 MS/SAC with operational or pilot ABC systems, European Union citizens 
and Schengen associated countries’ citizens are eligible. Only Hungary allows ex-
clusively its citizens to proceed through e-gates. In seven MS/SAC, third-coun-
try nationals are also eligible for the use of e-gates. This means that in most MS/
SAC, ABC systems are used primarily by EU/SAC citizens.

23 of 37

4.1  Eligibility information for Member States and Schengen Associated 
Countries’ citizens

All 21 countries with operational or pilot e-gates reported that MS/SAC citizens 
are eligible to use e-gates with a valid e-passport (with the exception of Hungary).

Twelve Member States require travellers to be at least 18 years of age, seven re-
ported a variation of minimum age from 12 to 16 years old, and two did not set 
a minimum age for use as they apply the minimum height criterion for ABC eligi-
bility. Seven MS/SAC also permit their nationals to use the e-gates with their re-
spective national e-ID cards. For more detailed information, see Table 4 in Annex.

4.2  Eligibility information for third-country nationals (visa-exempt)

From the 21 states with ABC systems (pilot or operational), seven allow some 
visa-exempt third-country nationals (TCN-VE) to use e-gates. These Member 
States are the Czechia, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and 
the United Kingdom.

The age eligibility requirement vary from 12 to 18, with the exception of Finland 
where there are no age restrictions but there are height restrictions.

Finland, Germany and the UK require Registered Traveller Programmes (RTPs) for 
the use of their e-gates. Portugal has only one RTP in place with Angola for en-
try. The United Kingdom has 33 RTPs running in 2018 and plans to introduce RTPs 
for seven new countries in 2019. Finally, Ireland and Iceland are conducting pilot 
RTPs with a number of third-countries to allow their citizens to use ABC systems 
in the future. For more details on current and pilot RTPs, see table 5 in Annex.

5  ABC system stakeholders

ABC systems have various stakeholders, including the owner, operator and sys-
tem  provider.  The  owner  and  operator  can  sometimes  be  the  same  entity,  as 
for example a national border guard authority, but it can also be two different 
authorities. The system provider refers to the company that supplies the ABC 
system as a whole, or part(s) thereof: there can be different providers for dif-
ferent technological components of an ABC system (e.g. biometric capture de-
vices, document readers, e-gates).

In most MS/SAC, the owner of the ABC system is either the border guard/police 
authority or the Ministry in charge of border control.

Table 6 included in the Annex shows the stakeholders by MS/SAC.

24 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 20186  Development of ABC systems linked to the 
implementation of the Entry/Exit System

In the 2018 survey, MS/SAC were asked if the implementation of the Entry/Exit 
System11 (EES) has an impact on their plans for implementation or expansion of 
ABC systems. The vast majority (19) of MS/SAC have plans for the implementa-
tion of new ABC systems due to the EES. Four MS/SAC are yet to make a deci-
sion, and seven MS/SAC report that they do not plan to extend their ABC systems 
due to the implementation of the EES.
Figure 7. Number of MS/SAC with expansion or implementation plans due to EES.

The type of solution envisaged varies between Member States. Most referenced 

4

7

YES

NO

Undecided

19

are self-service kiosks, but also manual border checks and deployment of ad-
ditional e-gates is mentioned. Most Member States did not report on a precise 
timeline for the implementation of their plans related the EES.

11  Regulation (EU) 2017/2226 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2017 

establishing an Entry/Exit System (EES) to register entry and exit data and refusal of entry data of third-
country nationals crossing the external borders of the Member States and determining the conditions 
for access to the EES for law enforcement purposes, and amending the Convention implementing the 
Schengen Agreement and Regulations (EC) No 767/2008 and (EU) No 1077/2011.

25 of 37

Conclusion and summary

Member States and Schengen associated countries are increasingly investing in 
ABC systems both to facilitate border crossings and to set up more effective con-
trol of travellers at border crossing points. ABC systems provide increasing sup-
port to border guards at BCPs and are implemented for reasons related to more 
efficient allocation of human resources, for the extension of biometric checks, 
and for speeding up the border checks processes for an increasing number of 
travellers travelling in and out of the European Union.

The number of e-gates is steadily growing across the European Union, mostly 
at air BCPs, with an increasing number of MS/SAC planning for new implemen-
tations or expansion of their ABC systems. MS/SAC are also extending the el-
igibility for the use of e-gates to more and more TCNs, and are implementing 
a growing number of RTPs. This will lead to a growing number of travellers us-
ing e-gates all across the European Union, thus leading to an increasing propor-
tion of border-crossings using ABC systems.

In automated border control the most common biometric modality used for the 
purpose of biometric verification is the face image. Fingerprints are seldom used 
and only for the nationals of the Member State that deploys the ABC systems. 
Concerning the configuration of ABC systems, the two-step integrated config-
uration is the most common one. Finally, the majority of Member States report 
that the border guard/police authority (or Ministry to which it reports) is both 
the owner and operator of their ABC system.

With regards to the implementation of the EES, the majority of MS/SAC have ex-
pressed plans to further develop their ABC systems in an effort to comply with 
the legal requirements set forth by the EES Regulation, and to prepare for the 
additional workload that will result from the implementation of the EES.

26 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018Data annex

Table 3. Information on ABC state of play: operational, planned and pilot e-gates 

in all 31 surveyed states

Country

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia 

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

28 of 37

ABC state of play

Operational

Piloted

Planned

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X 

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

ABC state of play

Operational

Piloted

Planned

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

29 of 37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 4. MS/SAC citizens’ eligibility information for ABC systems 

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION FOR MS/SAC CITIZENS

Country

EU citizens

EU citizens age

EU citizens token

National e-ID

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

21

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

TOTAL

30 of 37

18+

12+

18+

all

15+

all

Entry 12+  
Exit 18+

18+

12+

18+

18+

18+

14+

18+

16+

18+

18+

18+

18+

18+

12+

e-passport

e-passport

e-passports

e-passport, e-ID

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

passport

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

e-passport

12 with 18+  
  7 with 12 to 16+  
  2 without restrictions

16 (e-Passport)
  1 (e-Passport following registration)

no

yes

no

yes

no

no

no

yes

no

no

yes

no

no

no

yes

yes

yes

no

no

7

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018Table 5. TCN-VE eligibility information for the use of ABC systems

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION FOR TCN-VE

Country

TCN-VE

TCN-VE 
age

TCN-VE 
token

Registered 
Traveller 
Programme

Austria

no

Belgium

Bulgaria

no

Croatia

Cyprus

no

Czechia

South Korean

15+

e-passport

None

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

Japan and South Korea (entry); 
Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, 
New Zealand, US (exit)

all

e-passport

France

No

Germany

USA, Hong Kong, South Korea

18+

e-passport

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

no

no

no

RTPs for Australia, 
Canada, Japan, South 
Korea, New Zealand, 
US

RTPs for USA, Hong 
Kong, South Korea 
Under negotiation 
with Macao and 
Taiwan

Pilot for USA and 
Canada

Pilot RTP for USA/ 
Canada/ Australia/ 
New Zealand/ 
South Korea/ Japan/ 
Singapore/ Hong 
Kong in 2020

Italy

US, Vatican, Canada, Japan, New 
Zealand, Australia, Korea, Israel, 
Monaco, Singapore, San Marino

14+

e-passport

None

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

no

Malta

Netherlands

Exit: USA, Canada, Singapore, Japan, 
South Korea, Hong Kong, Australia, 
New Zealand

16+

e-passport

None

31 of 37

Country

TCN-VE

TCN-VE 
age

TCN-VE 
token

Registered 
Traveller 
Programme

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Angola (entry); Australia, Brazil, 
Canada, Japan, New Zealand, 
Singapore, South Korea, Venezuela, 
US (exit)

18+

e-passport

RTP with Angola at 
entry

Spain

no

Sweden

Switzerland

no

United 
Kingdom

USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, 
Japan, South Korea & Singapore and 
33 others

12+

e-passport

Total

7

RTPs with 33 
countries Expansion 
to USA, Canada, 
Australia, New 
Zealand, Japan, South 
Korea and Singapore 

4 RTPs  
2 pilots

32 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018Table 6. ABC systems stakeholders in 32 MS/SAC

STAKEHOLDERS FOR OPERATIONAL, PILOTED AND PLANNED E-GATES

Country

Owner

Operator

System provider

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Flughafen Wien AG

Police

Belgian Federal Police/ 
Brussels airport company

Belgian Federal 
Police

Vision-Box

Chief Directorate Border 
Police of Bulgaria

Chief 
Directorate 
Border Police 
of Bulgaria

Atos Bulgaria (Sofia Airport); Vision-Box

Hermes Airport/Cyprus 
Government

Cyprus Police

Cyprus Police

Czechia

Policie CR

Border Police 

Denmark

Estonia

Vitkovice Solutions, Secunet Security 
Networks AG

Vision-Box, Biometric Solutions

Finland

Finnish Border Guard

Finnish Border 
Guard

Vision-Box

France

Ministry of the Interior

Border Police

Idemia, Gemalto, Imprimerie Nationale, 
Vision-Box

Germany

German Federal Police

German 
Federal Police

Bundesdruckerei GmbH, Secunet Security 
Networks AG

Greece

Athens International Airport

Hungary

Hungarian National Police

Athens 
International 
Airport Police 
Directorate

Airport Police 
Directorate

OTE, Vision-Box

ARH Zrt.

National Commissioner of 
the Icelandic Police

Local Police

Secunet Security Networks AG/Isavia 
(airport operator)

Department of Equality and 
Justice

Airport Operators

Border 
Management 
Unit

Italian Border 
Police

Vision-Box

SITA, N-Aitec, Vision-Box

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia 

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Police Luxembourg

Police 
Luxembourg

Veridos

Malta

Netherlands

Ministry for Justice and 
Safety

Dutch Royal 
Marechaussee

Vision-Box

33 of 37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Country

Owner

Operator

System provider

Norwegian Police Border 
Guard

Eastern Police 
District

Gemalto, Vision-Box (tech. provider)

Immigration and Border 
Service

Polish Border 
Guard

Immigration 
and Border 
Service

Vision-Box/SEF

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

CNP

Sweden

Policía 
Nacional

Everis, Indra

Switzerland

Police Cantonale Zurich

United Kingdom UK Border Force

Police 
Cantonale 
Zurich

UK Border 
Force

Gemalto/Thales

Fujitsu, Vision-Box (for 3rd generation)

34 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 7. Number of e-gates by BCP and gate types, per MS/SAC

NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL E-GATES BY MEMBER STATE, 2017-2018

State

Gate type

2017

2018

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Air

10

15

9

9

6

12

4

9

8

2

3

3

20

15

61

50

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Land

Sea

3

8

Air

10

15

9

9

6

12

4

9

8

2

3

3

20

15

71

62

Land

Sea

3

8

5

35 of 37

State

Gate type

2017

2018

Land

Sea

Land

Sea

Air

121

73

3

3

1

6

6

25

69

51

4

Air

113

64

3

3

1

6

6

20

40

28

2

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Liechtenstein 

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

36 of 37

Frontex · Results of the automated border control (ABC) survey 2018State

Gate type

2017

2018

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Land

Sea

Air

41

36

2

2

38

36

Land

Sea

Air

42

36

12

9

38

36

185

207

210

257

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

27

10

27

10

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

Entry

Exit

Transit

Bidirectional

244

5

249

10

5

37 of 37

Plac Europejski 6 

00-844 Warsaw, Poland

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F +48 22 205 95 01

frontex@frontex.europa.eu 

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© European Border and Coast Guard 

Agency (Frontex), 2019

Print version: 

TT-01-20-091-EN-C 

ISBN 978-92-9471-760-3 

doi:10.2819/02703

PDF: 

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ISBN 978-92-9471-761-0 

doi:10.2819/490878

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