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EU border delays loom as EES flexibility expires and transport protests are announced
The expiration of the flexibility period for the European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) on September 6, 2026, has raised concerns regarding increased border delays. The system, which requires non-EU nationals to provide biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images, has already seen passport control times rise from approximately 20-25 seconds to an average of 90 seconds. Major airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, and Amsterdam, have reported increased waiting times, with some reaching up to 120 minutes.
While the European Commission has not extended the temporary flexibility measures, some member states may continue to implement biometric checks less strictly due to technical issues or high traffic. The aviation and tourism sectors have urged Brussels to extend these flexibilities until the end of the winter season to prevent chaos at major transit points.
Separately, transport companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have announced coordinated regional protests starting September 14, 2026. These protests target EU border crossings to demand a sustainable solution for professional drivers from the Western Balkans. The companies argue that current Schengen rules, specifically the 90/180-day stay limit, negatively impact their ability to work and disrupt regional supply chains.
Entities
Entry/Exit System · European Commission · European Union · Eurostar · IATA · International Air Transport Association · Logistics Consortium of Bosnia and Herzegovina · Schengen Area
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Average passport control times increased from 20-25 seconds to 90 seconds following EES implementation. www.yesilafsin.com · www.alborsaanews.com · halktv.com.tr · utro.mk · prv.mk
- [● 4 SOURCES] Eurostar is implementing EES gradually, with passenger registration continuing to be handled manually by border officials. www.alborsaanews.com · hercegovina.in · www.aktuelno.me
- [● 2 SOURCES] Maximum waiting times at Amsterdam Airport increased from 80 to 120 minutes. www.yesilafsin.com · halktv.com.tr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nine European countries have requested the European Commission to extend emergency measures for EES flexibility. www.alborsaanews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational at all external EU border crossing points on April 10, 2026. www.yesilafsin.com · halktv.com.tr · srpskainfo.com · inmedia.ba
- [DISPUTED] IATA has requested that the temporary flexibility for EES controls be extended until the end of 2026. www.yesilafsin.com · hercegovina.in · www.alborsaanews.com · halktv.com.tr · www.zenicablog.com
- [DISPUTED] IATA has called for the extension of EES flexibility at least until the end of the winter season. www.yesilafsin.com · halktv.com.tr · utro.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Average waiting times at Frankfurt Airport rose to 120 minutes in July, up from 60 minutes the previous year. www.yesilafsin.com · halktv.com.tr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nine EU countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, and Switzerland, requested an extension of EES flexibility measures.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The European Commission is aware that certain professionals from third countries require access to the Schengen area for longer than 90 days within a 180-day period. www.livno-online.com
- [● 7 SOURCES] Transport companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia will begin regional protests on September 14, 2026. bosnainfo.ba · infobirac.net · www.livno-online.com · drukciji.ba · zosradio.ba · +2 more