The EU's digital border system mistakenly confuses twins
The European Union’s new digital border system (EES) has created a serious problem for identical twins, as it has proven unable to distinguish between them when they cross the border.
The system confused the two women due to identical facial scan results, as well as matching last names, dates of birth, and citizenship. However, the twins have different fingerprints, first names, and separate passports.
Specifically, a Politico staff member was detained in late May and questioned for 15 minutes by border guards in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca while attempting to fly to the United Kingdom. Romanian authorities accused the woman of illegally staying in the Schengen Area, claiming that her previous departure following a visit to Amsterdam in April 2026 had not been properly registered. The traveler had not actually visited Amsterdam during that period; however, her twin sister was in the Netherlands at the time. During questioning, the woman was initially accused of transferring her passport to another person, even though her sister was in the United Kingdom at the time of the incident and had never visited Romania. Ultimately, British authorities allowed her to board the plane.
A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment on this specific case and noted that responsibility for the data entered lies with the member states, and the Commission itself does not have access to it. He emphasized that when travelers first cross the EU’s external borders, they provide passport and biometric data, which should allow each person to be identified individually. If concerns arise regarding the processing of information, citizens have the right to contact the competent authorities of the member state at the border or directly to correct or supplement their personal data.
Source: Politico.
European airports in 15 countries have faced serious delays due to the implementation of the new electronic border control system, the EES (Entry/Exit System). Passengers at major hubs in France, Germany, Spain, and other countries are forced to wait up to three hours for screening.
The Irish airline Ryanair has threatened to reroute passengers from Malta to other destinations. The reason is delays at border control at the local airport following the launch of the new EU entry system.
