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EU Airports Delay Border Checks Amidst Holiday Chaos
14 Sep
Summary
- Nine EU countries are delaying new border fingerprinting system implementation.
- The entry-exit system (EES) faced multiple delays to avoid visitor congestion.
- Several popular holiday destinations are among those requesting more time.
Several European Union member states, including popular holiday destinations like France, Greece, Portugal, and Italy, are seeking extensions to implement the bloc's new entry-exit system (EES). These nine countries have formally notified Brussels of their need for additional time to integrate the new border control measures, which include fingerprinting for non-EU citizens.
The EES, initially slated for full operation on September 6, 2026, has encountered multiple postponements. Previous delays were enacted to circumvent visitor congestion during significant events, such as the 2024 Olympics. This latest request for more time highlights ongoing challenges in fully deploying the system at busy airports.
Despite these delays in some nations, the EES is considered a success by EU sources, having recorded approximately 200 million registrations and preventing the entry of 70,000 individuals. These interventions target those without visas, individuals exceeding their stay allowances, and criminals using forged documents, with biometrics playing a key role in their detection.
Problems persist particularly at smaller airports, where limited biometric capture booths struggle with high passenger volumes during peak holiday seasons. The International Air Transport Association has previously raised concerns, citing instances of passengers missing connections due to prolonged processing times. A pre-authorisation app, 'Travel to Europe,' is expected to improve the process, though its operational status is currently limited.
