The European Union has committed to the ongoing phased rollout of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES), which became operational in October 2025. The system digitally registers non-EU nationals’ movements at external borders by capturing biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images, replacing traditional passport stamping. In 2026, the EU is implementing a six-month phased expansion of EES across member states.
Border Delays and Queue Impact at Key European Airports
Since the EES enforcement expanded this spring, airports including Rome’s Fiumicino and Ciampino, Milan hubs, Paris airports managed by Groupe ADP, and airports in Spain and Portugal have reported long queues, with border processing times increasing by up to
70% during peak periods according to Airports Council International Europe. Passengers have experienced wait times of up to three hours at border control, especially during high travel seasons, resulting in missed flights and operational disruption.
Industry and Official Responses to Operational Challenges
Airlines for Europe has drawn attention to persistent excessive waiting times at border controls and has formally requested the European Commission to permit temporary suspensions of biometric registrations during peak congestion. Groupe ADP warned that increasing biometric checks before the summer season would carry significant risk, urging a slower pace of enrolment. Meanwhile, Rome airport operators have cautioned that avoiding operational failure in summer may
require allowing many passengers to temporarily bypass EES procedures.
National Variations in Enforcement and Temporary Relaxations
Enforcement of biometric checks varies notably between countries and airports. Greek border authorities have largely halted biometric checks for British nationals at several airports despite full EES operations being declared. In Italy and Portugal, airports are discussing temporary suspensions of biometric data capture for select flights or time frames. Some border forces have reverted to manual passport control during surges, reflecting local adaptations to alleviate congestion without breaching EU regulations that prohibit blanket suspensions.
Traveler Guidance and Operational Causes Behind Delays
Due to inconsistent biometric processing—ranging from full enrolment to manual passport checks—airlines recommend passengers allocate substantially more
time for check-in, with advised arrival times reaching up to three and a half hours for certain short-haul flights from congested hubs. Delays stem from the system outpacing the capacity of border police, airport infrastructure, and IT support, especially during peak travel seasons. Flight schedules and boarding cut-offs have been adjusted to accommodate longer border processing times, increasing operational costs.
The EU maintains that the EES is vital for modernizing border control, improving security, and efficiently managing migration by linking biometric identity verification to entry and exit records. Although civil liberties groups have raised some data protection concerns, the pressing
issue remains the operational bottlenecks causing extensive delays at external Schengen borders, rather than legal challenges.
