The expansion of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES) means the requirements are now operational at many airports and ports across the Schengen Area, plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, with the rollout having been active since October 2025, but delays associated with the system are causing concern in the travel and tourism sector.
Major airports in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Luxembourg, and Belgium are already implementing EES. By April 2026, it is due to be mandatory at all major entry points. The system requires non-EU nationals (including UK citizens) to register biometric data such as fingerprints and photographs at kiosks when entering the Schengen Area.
However, the system’s introduction is leading to delays of up to three hours at rush hours for travellers, and waiting times are up in places by 70%, causing some ticket holders to miss flights. As a result, sector trade body ABTA has called for EU border authorities to use contingency measures to ease delays and manage passenger flow.
A partir de 12/10 viajar para a Europa para estadas de curta duração é mais fácil graças a um novo sistema de gestão de fronteiras. A aposição de carimbos no passaporte foi em grande parte substituída pelo EES, o Sistema de Entrada/Saída digital: https://t.co/h9tWopuzEA pic.twitter.com/zJ3RMJFZ48
— Italy in Sao Paulo (@ItalyinSaoPaulo) January 7, 2026
ABTA’s Chief Executive, Mark Tanzer, emphasises that while EES will eventually speed up passport checks, initial implementation may cause longer processing times. ABTA is “urging border authorities to do all they can to minimise delays. They have contingency measures at their disposal – such as standing down the system or limiting checks – and we want them to be utilised to help manage the flow of people,” he said.
The Airport Council International (ACI) Europe has also demanded an urgent review of the system, warning of potential chaos if issues are not addressed before the busy summer season.
Malpensa Airport has activated the Entry/Exit System (EES) for automated border checks. The system will modernize border control, improve efficiency, and enhance EU security. pic.twitter.com/9ExQdMo10x
— Milan Airports (@MiAirports) January 14, 2026
Key points for the travel sector are to ensure travellers are made aware of the new requirements and advised to plan for longer processing times. Industry stakeholders need to continue to monitor the rollout and advocate for effective contingency measures to minimise disruption. Up-to-date information on affected airports and best practices for navigating EES will be crucial for good customer communications.
The usual advice about arriving two hours ahead of air travel may need to be revised in some cases, depending on how well individual airports are coping and whether the flights are at peak or off-peak times. “If you are departing the EU, we’re advising passengers to go straight to passport control as soon as they have gone through check-in and security, that way you get the EES checks out of the way as early as possible,” ABTA says. The association is also encouraging travellers to check and follow the provider or operator’s advice on the subject.
