Iceland implements new border systems, self-service kiosks delayed

Iceland is rolling out new border control systems, a project described by senior police official Arngrímur Guðmundsson as one of the largest undertaken by the Icelandic police and a major IT initiative for the European Union. All European countries are simultaneously implementing their own border systems.

“

All European countries are on the same time implementing new border systems, each country with its own system.

Self-service kiosks installed at Keflavík Airport's border control in October are not yet operational. Testing has progressed slower than anticipated, leading to a decision to postpone their use during the peak summer season. "A decision was made in the spring, given the scale of the project, to focus first on refining the border system's software and use the summer for that," Guðmundsson explained. The next phase, involving the gradual introduction of these kiosks, is expected in early autumn.

“

A decision was made in the spring, given the scale of the project, to focus first on refining the border system's software and use the summer for that.

The automated kiosks are primarily for citizens of non-EU countries, such as Americans, Britons, and Canadians, as well as other third-country nationals. Icelandic citizens will continue to use the existing ABC lanes, meaning the change will not affect them. Significant preparatory work has been undertaken in Iceland, including infrastructure development such as a new border hall at Keflavík Airport, the Vör passenger terminal in Reykjavík Harbour, and a new border hall in Akureyri.

“

The next phase is hopefully in the beginning of autumn, then we will start to bring the kiosks into use gradually.

Guðmundsson emphasized the project's scale and the importance of a phased implementation to ensure everything functions as intended. He anticipates the equipment will be gradually introduced starting in September, once passenger traffic lessens. The project has progressed reasonably well, considering it involves entering "a completely new environment at the borders."

“

Now there are a lot of passengers coming and we want the traffic to slow down a bit before we start the equipment.