The European Commission has announced the launch of the shared biometric matching service (sBMS) from May 19, 2025. The matching service features a powerful search engine capable of performing fingerprint matching and enables facial recognition for the first time. The sBMS will improve the precision of identifying and verifying individuals, strengthening the EU’s border security and controls, as well as enhancing the management of visas and asylum applications.
The system is designed to guarantee data security through secure storage and regulated access controls, ensuring that personal data is safe and accessed appropriately.
The shared biometric matching service is the first building block of the interoperability framework, delivered by eu-LISA, the EU agency responsible for technical implementation. The launch of this new service coincides with an adaptation of the Visa Information System (VIS), which is now ready to interoperate with the Entry/Exit System (EES).
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