System rollout cascades into cascading delays across EU borders
EU border system rollout faces layered delays as biometric suspensions end and ETIAS launch pushes to 2027.
Event / Technology
EU Entry/Exit System Delays
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) has been causing severe airport delays since April 2025 due to technical malfunctions and insufficient resources, with queues reaching up to five hours. Multiple EU nations have requested deadline extensions, while implementation issues may delay the related ETIAS visa system to 2027.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 10 Jul, 08:53 UTC
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What happened
Summer 2025 expected to see 40 million additional airport passengers across Europe
European airports anticipate a surge of up to 40 million additional passengers during the summer travel season, with capacity concerns particularly acute at smaller airports serving major tourist destinations including Paris-Beauvais, Milan-Bergame, and Málaga.
EU Entry/Exit System (EES) fully operational since April 2025 causing extended airport delays
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), which replaced manual passport stamping across 29 Schengen countries, became fully operational in April 2025. The system registers coordinates, entry/exit dates, and biometric data for non-EU short-term travelers. However, since deployment, the system has caused significant operational problems including non-functional terminals, insufficient staff, and incompatible interfaces, resulting in border control queues reaching up to five hours during peak times.
European airports and airlines request EU suspension of EES system
European airports and airlines sent a joint letter to the European Union requesting suspension of the EES border control system due to operational difficulties. They warned that without greater flexibility, current problems will worsen, particularly as summer travel season approaches with an expected 40 million additional passengers. The sector raised concerns that extended delays could significantly deter foreign tourists from European destinations.
Pre-registration application for EES available in only two countries
The European Commission stated it is deploying a pre-registration application to help address EES processing delays. However, as of the report date, this application is only available in Sweden and Portugal, limiting its effectiveness in reducing queues across the broader Schengen area.
EU Commission President acknowledges ongoing EES implementation problems
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, acknowledged that there is still much work to do to resolve problems related to new automated border controls at EU borders, including issues with malfunctioning terminals and insufficient resources.
Temporary suspension of biometric data collection ends in September 2025
Brussels had temporarily authorized countries to suspend biometric data collection at borders to reduce processing time. However, this temporary measure is set to end in September, though it did not prevent the formation of excessive queues. Airport and airline representatives requested a broader suspension of EES allowing a return to manual passport stamping during peak traffic periods.
France and eight other EU countries request extension of EES exemption deadline
According to the Financial Times, France and seven other EU countries sent a letter requesting an extension of the deadline for the temporary exemption from EES biometric data collection requirements.
ETIAS travel authorization system launch potentially delayed to 2027
According to the Financial Times, the rollout of ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), an authorization system for visa-exempt travelers equivalent to the US ESTA program, could be delayed to 2027 due to complications arising from EES implementation problems.
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2 alternative perspectives
Nine EU nations demand more time for border system implementation
Nine EU states request EES exemption extension as implementation problems persist.
EU entry system sparks airport chaos as delays mount this summer
EU's new entry system causing airport delays; airlines seek suspension as summer passenger surge looms.