Overview
- The EU’s Entry/Exit System, which became operational on 10 April 2026, requires non‑EU travellers to register fingerprints and a facial image and replaces manual passport stamping.
- Industry figures say the new checks raise per‑passenger processing from about 20–25 seconds to roughly 90 seconds, creating bottlenecks where kiosks or staffing are weak and causing multi‑hour queues at some airports.
- Airlines and airport bodies report passengers have missed flights because of EES queues, with carriers advising travellers to arrive much earlier and some, notably Ryanair, refusing to hold departures for late passengers.
- Several countries and airports have used or threatened temporary suspensions of full biometric checks for parts of the summer, and research groups warn sustained delays could redirect billions in tourist spending away from affected Schengen destinations.
- Officials say the worst disruption is tied to first‑time biometric enrolments and expect the situation to stabilise only after operational fixes such as more reliable kiosks, extra border staff and clearer pre‑travel communications are rolled out.