German interior minister calls for 'travel registry' in Europe

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/german-interior-minister-calls-for-travel-registry-in-europe/a-19112489

EU countries should record data on visitors entering the visa-free area in Europe, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere has said. "We want to know who is coming," he added.

German interior minister calls for 'travel registry' in Europe
12.03.2016

The new travel registry would boost the security of European nations, de Maiziere said in interview "Die Welt" published on Saturday.

Specifically, the interior minister referred to the so-called Schengen visa-free zone, which currently incorporates 28 European countries, most of which are EU members. According to de Maiziere, officials need to gather data on the visitors from countries outside the Schengen zone.

The database would include the time and the place of entry for non-Schengen nationals, as well as their exit point.

"Right now, we issue visas. However, there is no record to show if the individual is actually arriving (to a Schengen country) or actually leaving," de Maiziere said. "A new system involving biometric data and visa records could warn us when a third-party citizen overextends his stay.