EU Starts Biometric Screening Pilot for Migrants on Lampedusa

Published Date : 11/3/2025 

The European Union has initiated a two-week pilot program on Lampedusa Island to test new biometric screening processes for irregular migrants. This experiment is part of the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, aimed at enhancing border security and efficiency. 

Lampedusa, a small island between Italy and Morocco, serves as a crucial entry point for irregular migration to Europe. Recently, it has become a testing ground for the EU’s new migrant screening process, which involves biometric registration. This pilot program is a significant step in the implementation of the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, designed to boost security screening and registration at borders, and expedite processes for those denied asylum.

The two-week pilot, conducted from October 13th to 24th, evaluated the tools and processes within the Screening Toolbox developed by EU agencies. The procedures were tested on 240 people who arrived on the island irregularly. This joint operation involved the EU border agency Frontex, Europol, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA), and Italian authorities.

Hans Leijtens, the executive director of Frontex, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “By preparing together, we make sure that the new EU screening process will enhance border management while safeguarding the fundamental rights of all those arriving at our external borders.”

According to the Screening Regulation, which will come into effect in June 2026, all third-country nationals arriving without authorization must undergo checks within seven days at external borders or three days if they are already inside the country. These checks include health and vulnerability examinations, registration of biometrics in Eurodac, and identification and security inspections by cross-checking data in EU border management systems. These systems include the Entry-Exit System (EES), the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Visa Information System (VIS), and the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS).

Nina Gregori, the executive director of the EUAA, highlighted the significance of testing these tools: “It is crucial for the EU Agency for Asylum to test the tools developed under the new Pact before their implementation. The Screening Regulation is a key element of this new approach to effective migration management.”

The Pact on Migration and Asylum has been a subject of debate, particularly regarding its reforms to the Eurodac biometric database and the collection of biometrics from minors. Eurodac, which has been recording fingerprints of asylum seekers for 20 years, is set to expand to include facial biometrics. The proposal also calls for lowering the age at which subjects can be fingerprinted from 14 years old to six years old.

Critics argue that EU authorities could use this data to implement more hostile asylum and border policies. However, Frontex maintains that the regulation brings faster and more efficient processing for migrants, enhancing both security and humanitarian standards.

This pilot program on Lampedusa Island is a critical step in the EU’s efforts to manage migration more effectively while ensuring the rights and safety of all individuals involved. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum?

A: The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is a comprehensive set of policies and regulations aimed at improving the management of migration and asylum processes in the European Union. It includes measures to enhance border security, expedite asylum procedures, and ensure the protection of migrants' rights.

Q: Why is Lampedusa Island important in this context?

A: Lampedusa Island is a key entry point for irregular migration to Europe, making it an ideal location to test new screening processes. The island's strategic position between Italy and Morocco makes it a common arrival point for migrants seeking entry into the EU.

Q: What are the main components of the Screening Toolbox?

A: The Screening Toolbox includes procedures for health and vulnerability examinations, biometric registration in Eurodac, and identification and security inspections. These tools are designed to enhance border management and ensure the safety and rights of arriving individuals.

Q: What is Eurodac and how is it being reformed?

A: Eurodac is a biometric database that records the fingerprints of asylum seekers and irregular migrants. The reforms under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum include expanding the database to include facial biometrics and lowering the age at which individuals can be fingerprinted from 14 to six years old.

Q: What are the concerns raised by critics about the new screening process?

A: Critics argue that the new screening process, particularly the expansion of Eurodac to include facial biometrics and the lowering of the fingerprinting age, could be used to implement more hostile asylum and border policies. They are concerned about potential privacy and human rights violations. 

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