The Senate has adopted legislation on Poland’s participation in the Eurodac system, as amended by the Pact on Migration and Asylum, applicable from 12 June 2026. The amended Eurodac system is an EU-wide database of biometric data on third-country nationals who have applied for international protection or temporary protection, or who have crossed an EU+ border irregularly. It forms part of a broader set of large-scale EU information technology systems designed to support effective border management, including the Entry/Exit System (EES).
The legislation implementing EU law expands the scope of biometric data collected by the authorities beyond fingerprints, which were already collected under the previous Eurodac system. The minimum age for biometric data collection has also been lowered from 14 to 6 years. It further authorises officers to use direct coercive measures in cases of resistance to the taking of biometric data.
Concerning the collection of biometric data from children, the Polish Ombudsperson for Children reaffirmed the need to protect children’s rights and ensure proper training for police officers. The Ombudsperson recalled its earlier warning that the relevant EU regulation requires such data to be collected by specially trained officers in a child-friendly manner, respecting dignity, physical integrity, and privacy, and adapted to the child’s age and maturity, while minimising stress and coercion.
- Ministry of the Interior and Administration | Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji (22 May, 2026), Senat przyjął ustawę o udziale Polski w systemie Eurodac [The Senate adopted the law on Polish's participation in the Eurodac system],