The invention relates to a method for controlling access to or exit from a controlled area, implemented in a system comprising at least one database comprising: a first data set, comprising biometric data of persons linked with identifiers of means of transport or travel; and a second data set including at least one piece of data such as marital status and/or identity document and at least one piece of personal biometric data, the method being characterised by implementing steps that comprise: for each vehicle, acquiring an identifier of the means of transport or travel, and biometric data of at least one passenger in the vehicle; for each passenger for which biometric data has been acquired, determining whether said passenger is recorded in the first data set linked with the vehicle; if a passenger is not recorded in the first data set linked with the vehicle, verifying that the passenger is recorded in said set linked with another vehicle or, failing that, that said passenger is recorded in the second data set; and, in accordance with the result of the verification carried out, updating the first data set such that said set includes biometric data of the passenger linked with the vehicle. The invention also relates to a control system suitable for implementing the method.