EU Biometric Entry/Exit System Causes Airport Queue Chaos

Two months after the EU rolled out its new Entry/Exit System (EES), which digitises border checks for non‑EU travellers, airports and border stations across Europe are facing severe queuing problems. Passengers report waiting up to five hours, especially during the busy July‑August summer period. The system, which records fingerprints and facial data on first entry, has been hampered by technical glitches and chronic understaffing, creating a “catastrophic passenger experience” according to the director of ACI Europe.

Frontex officials warn the bottlenecks could persist for up to two years, while Portugal has deployed about 300 police officers to manage the crowds at its airports. Although Norwegian travellers are not directly affected, the congestion impacts all passengers traveling through Schengen, disrupting smooth travel and raising safety concerns.