EU pledges to fix airport queues as new biometric border system causes hours-long delays
The European Union has promised to step up efforts to resolve long queues at airports caused by its new Entry/Exit System, after airlines and airports warned of wait times reaching five hours at peak periods.
The new system
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) launched in October 2025, replacing manual passport stamping with biometric registration for non-EU travellers. A second phase in December 2025 made fingerprint and photograph collection mandatory. Since 10 April 2026, the system has been compulsory for all short-stay visitors entering the Schengen free travel zone.
- EES launched, replacing passport stamps with biometric registration.
- Second phase begins, requiring fingerprints and photographs.
- EES becomes mandatory for all non-EU short-stay travellers.
- Airlines and airports send joint letter criticising delays.
- EU Commissioner Brunner promises to redouble efforts; von der Leyen admits technical problems.
- Scheduled meeting between EU and industry representatives.
Airport chaos
Airlines and airports sent a joint letter on 1 July criticising the rollout, stating that wait times "can now reach up to five hours at peak times." At Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport, queues of up to nine hours were reported. The industry warned that up to 40 million additional passengers are expected during the northern hemisphere summer holidays, and called for the biometric checks to be fully suspended during busy periods.
The Commission will now make additional efforts to help those Member States that still encounter issues.
EU response
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner replied on 3 July, promising to "redouble efforts" to assist member states facing difficulties. He acknowledged that passengers were being forced to wait longer at certain destinations, citing "insufficient staff or lack of adequate infrastructure" as contributing factors. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen admitted on the same day that "technical problems" would require significant work to resolve.
Technical problems would require significant work to resolve.
Summer flexibility
Brunner noted that the system was implemented gradually and already allows flexibility during the 2026 summer season until early September. National governments can temporarily suspend biometric data collection to speed up processing. A meeting with industry representatives is scheduled for 7 July.
Refusal figures
Since October 2025, the EES has stopped 43,728 people from entering the EU for breaking the rules. Of those, 16,383 were travelling without sufficient justification, 8,739 would have overstayed their permitted time, and more than 400 attempted to cross with counterfeit documents.
- Insufficient justification
- 16383 people
- Overstay risk
- 8739 people
- Counterfeit documents
- 400 people
