The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has raised concerns that delays linked to the European Union’s forthcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) could threaten up to 41 million visitor arrivals across Europe in 2026. This warning highlights the potential scale of disruption due to processing challenges at external EU borders.
According to WTTC, these delays might extend to as long as three hours as the EES is introduced. The rollout of this new border management system is expected to take place throughout 2026, with significant effects anticipated during its initial phase.
Officials indicate that the border processing delays associated with the
EES may persist and remain unstable for up to two years following implementation. Such prolonged disruptions could continue to impact tourism volumes in the near term.
Travelers crossing EU external borders may face prolonged waiting times that could affect scheduling and overall travel experiences. The WTTC’s advisory calls attention to the practical impact these border procedures might have on visitors arriving in Europe during this period.
