EU Entry/Exit System triggers airport delays, prompting Greece and others to suspend biometric checks

The European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational across the EU and Schengen area, replacing traditional passport stamps with biometric data collection for non‑EU travellers. Within the first weeks of rollout, airports reported long queues, flight delays and passenger frustration as the system struggled to handle high traffic volumes.

Greece was the first country to temporarily suspend biometric checks for British passengers, while Portugal has already allowed bypasses when queues become excessive. Italy is considering a similar move, and Spain, France and Croatia are monitoring the situation closely. Airlines such as Ryanair warn that passengers are missing flights due to the lengthy procedures.

The EU Commission has granted member states “built‑in flexibility” to pause biometric checks and revert to conventional passport stamping during congestion, balancing security aims with the tourism sector’s need to avoid losses worth billions of euros and thousands of jobs.