3.1. Eurodac system

Table of contents

3.1. Eurodac system

 

ar2025 box1 digital innovation

The modernisation of Eurodac is a major component of the reforms which were introduced by the Pact on Migration and Asylum toward a more effective management of external borders. Eurodac is designed to assist with the management of asylum applications and support efforts to detect, investigate and prevent terrorism and serious crime.87 To ensure that the new Eurodac system is operational in June 2026, EU+ countries worked with the European Commission and eu-LISA, introduced the necessary legislative changes, made the needed financial commitments and put in place the corresponding practical arrangements at the national level.88

For example, in June 2025 the Swiss Federal Council proceeded with public consultations on proposed amendments to several federal ordinances. For Eurodac, the amendments specify procedures involving unaccompanied minors and the sharing of data with third countries, in addition to other aspects related to fingerprint and facial image experts.89 Similarly, following public consultations, the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security introduced amendments to the Immigration Act and Regulations to incorporate the updated Eurodac Regulation into national law.90

Increased effort and resources were channelled to secure technical and operational infrastructure and personnel, and administrative arrangements were revamped for the functioning of Eurodac. While acknowledging the role of the new Eurodac in catalysing the effective management of external borders, some stakeholders have expressed concerns about the risk of treating applicants as potential security threats, thus possibly undermining the humanitarian foundations of asylum legislation.91

Beyond Eurodac, in a year of technological transitions, several countries undertook initiatives to increase IT capacity at the borders.92 With the continued roll-out of the EES and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), and the progressing interoperability of European large-scale IT systems, including VIS, European countries will be in a position to control access to EU territory and the Schengen area more effectively. The European Migration Management Strategy, issued in January 2026, places particular emphasis on digital integration and foresees the establishment of an expert group for the development of a digital asylum case management system, which will integrate screening, asylum, reception and transfer procedures.93