Europe has introduced a new Entry/Exit System (EES) at its Schengen borders which is resulting in significant delays. Travelers are encountering queues that last several hours as border agencies implement the fresh verification procedures across multiple countries.
Major Impact on Visitors and Tourism Revenue
This new system affects more than 41 million travelers arriving primarily from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. The implementation is placing considerable strain on border operations in countries including Germany, Portugal, France, Spain, Poland, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has raised concerns that these ongoing hold-ups could severely disrupt tourism activities throughout 2026. The
organization points to the possibility of billions of dollars in lost revenue as lengthy border checks deter visitors and complicate travel plans.
Authorities across the Schengen area have yet to provide clear solutions to mitigate the delays. The tourism sector remains under pressure as these challenges persist, affecting popular destinations and risking a decline in visitor numbers over the coming year.
