Border police procedures for passport scanning and verification

When border police scan a passport, the process triggers a series of security checks across national and international databases. Beyond reading basic information such as name, date of birth, and nationality, electronic scanners verify the document's authenticity and check if it has been reported lost, stolen, or revoked.

For biometric passports, systems can access data stored on the electronic chip, including the holder's photograph, to ensure the person presenting the document matches the identity recorded. At the external borders of the Schengen Area, officers utilize the Schengen Information System (SIS) to check for wanted persons, missing individuals, or those subject to entry bans. Additionally, Interpol databases are used to identify stolen or lost travel documents.

A significant recent development is the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) at Schengen external borders. This system replaces traditional passport stamping with electronic records for non-EU citizens traveling for short stays, tracking entries and exits to manage border security more effectively.