Key facts
- The EU's Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing significant border delays for non-EU travelers.
- Berlin Airport's chief executive warned of 'unbearable' summer delays due to the EES.
- The EES requires biometric data collection (fingerprints, facial images) for short stays in the Schengen Area.
- Airlines and airports report inconsistent implementation, leading to long queues and missed flights.
- The European Commission acknowledges the challenges and states that temporary suspensions of biometric data collection are possible under certain conditions.
The European Union's new Entry-Exit System (EES), which became fully operational on April 10, 2026, is designed to automate border checks for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen Area. The system replaces traditional passport stamps with digital records, including biometric data like fingerprints and facial images, to enhance security and combat irregular migration. It applies to non-EU/Schengen citizens traveling for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, including visa-exempt travelers from countries like the US and UK. Citizens of EU and Schengen member states are exempt.
Despite its aims, the EES implementation has faced significant challenges, particularly at airports. Reports indicate operational disruptions, long queues, and flight delays, with some passengers missing connections or flights entirely. Aletta von Massenbach, the head of Berlin Airport, has warned that these delays could become 'unbearable' during the peak summer travel season. Industry groups, including Airlines for Europe and ACI Europe, have described the situation as critical and requested flexibility from the European Commission to suspend biometric data collection during periods of high passenger volume.
The European Commission acknowledges the difficulties and states that efforts are underway to mitigate the impact. While broader exemptions are not permitted, Schengen states can temporarily suspend biometric data collection at specific entry points during high traffic periods, provided it is not applied to any specific group of nationals. A spokesperson for the Commission noted that the impact is limited in most EU airports and that further meetings with industry representatives are scheduled.