European nations seek delay for EU Entry/Exit System rollout

Nine European nations are seeking additional time for the full implementation of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) due to technical difficulties and significant border congestion. The countries involved include France, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland.

The EES is a digital border management system designed to replace manual passport stamping for short-stay non-EU visitors by recording biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images. While the system was intended to be fully operational by April 2026, the transition has caused substantial delays. Reports indicate that passport processing times have increased from approximately 25 seconds to 90 seconds per traveler, leading to queues of up to 120 minutes at major hubs like Frankfurt and Amsterdam Schiphol.

Travel industry operators, including airlines and ferry companies, have expressed concern following the expiration of emergency measures on September 6, which previously allowed for the temporary suspension of biometric registration during peak congestion. Industry groups are calling for urgent extensions to prevent further missed connections and travel disruptions.