[REVISION HISTORY]

EU EES implementation and expiring biometric flexibility

Updated 14 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-07 08:12 UTC → 2026-09-07 10:56 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The implementation of the European Union’s new Entry Exit System (EES) has caused significant increases in border control waiting times at several major European airports. The digital system, which replaces manual passport stamping with biometric data collection including fingerprints and photos, has led to processing times for non-EU travelers nearly doubling at hubs such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Munich. Brussels Airport has reported delays exceeding two hours for departures and three hours for arrivals. After nearly 300 days of operation across approximately 1,500 border crossings in 29 Schengen countries, the EES has recorded approximately 160 million border crossings and denied entry to over 50,000 individuals. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner described the technology as ‘the most modern border protection system in the world,’ noting its success in identifying security risks. Despite these benefits, passenger anxiety remains high due to technical glitches and long queues. As of September 6, 2026, the temporary flexibility period for the EES has expired, removing the ability for member states to temporarily suspend biometric data collection during periods of extreme congestion. This expiration has raised significant concerns regarding border stability, as industry groups like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warn of renewed chaos. Data indicates that passport control times have increased from an average of 20–25 seconds to approximately 90 seconds. While the European Commission has not extended the flexibility measures, some member states may continue less strict implementation at overwhelmed crossings. In France, technical software issues have prevented the full rollout of fingerprint kiosks at major transit points like Eurotunnel and Eurostar, necessitating continued manual registration for the time being. ~~Ahead~~ Following the expiration of the ~~September 6 expiration,~~ flexibility period, Ryanair has called on the ~~aviation and tourism sectors have urged Brussels~~ European Commission to extend ~~flexibilities until~~ the ~~end of the winter season to prevent chaos~~ derogation until at ~~major transit points.~~ least April 2027.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.