The European Union’s biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) began operation in October 2025, replacing manual passport stamping with facial images and fingerprints at external borders in 29 participating countries.
Phased Rollout Across 29 Countries
EES has been deployed progressively at land, sea, and air crossings, allowing member states to activate border points in stages. Full operational status was planned for spring 2026, with flexibility to address peak travel periods.
Airport Delays and Passenger Processing Challenges
Since early 2026, growing mandatory biometric registrations at major airports have resulted in wait times as long as two hours during high traffic periods. Passengers without prior EES enrollment undergo full biometric data capture, lengthening processing durations.
Reports have noted missed connecting flights due to these passport control bottlenecks, especially at hubs with significant UK, US, and other third-country traveler volumes.
Manual and Digital Check Duplication
During the phased implementation, some locations continue manual passport stamping alongside biometric registration, causing duplicated efforts and slower processing. Border personnel manage multiple systems and devices, compounding delays. Staffing shortages and infrastructure limitations have intensified the challenges.
Land Border Congestion and Infrastructure Upgrades
Land borders such as Croatia–Serbia experienced significant congestion with multi-kilometer queues and many-hour waits in late July and early August 2026. The unpredictable arrival of vehicles complicates flow control. Several border crossings are undergoing infrastructure improvements including expanded inspection
zones, additional lanes for coaches, and covered waiting areas to mitigate delays.
Mitigating Congestion and Official Guidance
National authorities can temporarily reduce biometric data collection during periods of excessive queues to maintain flow. Official travel advice from European and non-European states recommends arriving earlier and allowing extra time for border checks. Airports and carriers are updating communications to inform passengers about biometric procedures and kiosk locations.
Industry Warnings Ahead of Peak Travel
European aviation bodies have cautioned that enforcing full biometric registration during peak summer seasons risks multi-hour queues at major hubs. Industry groups stress that border control staffing and infrastructure have not kept pace with biometric demands. They urge the
European Commission and national governments to use system flexibility to ease congestion.
Communication Efforts to Prepare Travelers
Governments, airports, and carriers have launched information campaigns including pre-departure notifications to help passengers prepare for biometric checks. Recommendations include managing passports in advance and familiarizing families with the process to reduce confusion at border control.
Policy Implications for Travel and Border Security
EES aims to enhance security and automate overstay calculations while speeding up returns for enrolled travelers. However, the early months of large-scale biometric deployment present operational challenges across Europe’s external borders. How effectively travel stakeholders coordinate responses will influence future travel flows and border management efficiency.
