Delays Highlight Pressure
Long lines at European borders are already showing red flags as the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit system (EES) rolls out. Recently, travelers at Switzerland’s Geneva Airport queued up to three hours at passport control during a ski weekend.
Overall, the delays were due to travelers’ first time having their biometric information captured. Nevertheless, authorities note that they had anticipated these hiccups during the initial rollout phase.
In summary, the EES effectively replaces manual passport stamping using fingerprint and facial image enrollment. As such, the process has only lengthened the time it takes for eligible travelers visiting the Schengen area.
Simultaneously, the European Union permits its member states to partially suspend EES implementation when faced with operational pressure. For instance, France may pause biometric checks or adopt a hybrid approach when facing long passport control queues.
“…member states may fully or partially suspend operating the EES at certain border crossing in exceptional circumstances (for instance when traffic intensity would lead to very high waiting times),” wrote the European Commission in a press release in May 2025.
At the same time, travel organizations are already bracing themselves for another significant development. In a few months, the ETIAS authorization will add a layer of pre-travel screening, applicable to visa-exempt visitors.
What the EES Changes
All in all, the EES represents one of the EU’s biggest border technology upgrades in decades. Notably, it records biometric data and automatically tracks travelers’ permitted stays. Therefore, authorities can enforce the 90-in-180-day rule more accurately.
Previously, border officers manually stamped passports to record entry and exit dates. However, the new system aims to automate these processes and reduce fraud risks.
Consequently, travelers must enroll their fingerprints and a facial image during their first crossing. As a result, initial processing times are significantly longer than repeat entries.
Meanwhile, infrastructure challenges have slowed implementation in several locations. In particular, many kiosks remain under installation or testing, especially at busy airports and ports.
At the moment, officials still expect processing speeds to improve once most travelers complete enrollment. Nevertheless, early congestion has raised concerns ahead of the summer travel season.
Geneva Queues Signal Risks
Geneva Airport’s delays provided an early stress test for the new EES. Specifically, ski travelers arriving during peak weekend traffic faced extended processing times.
Throughput slowed because many passengers required assistance at self-service kiosks. Additionally, winter clothing complicated facial recognition during biometric capture.
In response, airlines updated pre-flight communications to explain the new border procedures. Consequently, carriers hope to reduce confusion among arriving passengers.
By comparison, Zurich Airport reported waits of around 30 to 40 minutes due to higher e-gate capacity. However, officials warned delays could exceed one hour during future peak periods. Currently, Swiss authorities are reviewing operational adjustments if queues worsen.
Hence, travel management firms have already warned corporate clients about potential disruptions. Notably, missed transfers and rebookings could increase costs during busy travel periods.
France’s Temporary Flexibility
The European Commission has acknowledged implementation challenges across major entry points. Therefore, it allowed member states limited flexibility during the transition phase.
France can temporarily suspend biometric processing for up to 90 days when congestion becomes severe. Moreover, authorities may also revert to manual stamping or partial data collection.
The measure aims to prevent excessive delays during peak travel seasons. However, officials stress that the flexibility does not postpone full EES adoption.
French airports and Channel ports have already experienced queues reaching three hours. Still, much of the delay stems from incomplete infrastructure and ongoing testing.
As such, operators are now accelerating staff recruitment and kiosk installation. As a result, authorities hope to stabilize operations before summer traffic increases.
Preparing for ETIAS
While the EES rollout continues, the travel sector is preparing for the next regulatory change. The ETIAS system will require visa-exempt travelers to obtain travel authorization before departure.
Meanwhile, industry groups have begun educational campaigns to reduce confusion among travelers. For example, ABTA will host a webinar to brief travel companies on upcoming requirements.
Travel advisors expect questions from passengers unfamiliar with the new digital processes. Therefore, airlines and agencies are expanding communication efforts ahead of implementation.
Industry representatives warn that overlapping changes could create short-term confusion. However, they also say early preparation can reduce disruptions once ETIAS launches.
EES Impact on Travelers
Overall, travelers entering Europe should expect longer processing times during the transition period. Consequently, airlines now recommend earlier airport arrivals and longer connection buffers.
Corporate travel managers are also adjusting policies for international staff movements. Moreover, companies are advising employees to familiarize themselves with biometric enrollment steps.
Hybrid procedures may remain in place throughout 2026. In many locations, manual stamping and biometric checks will operate simultaneously.
Despite early challenges, officials expect efficiency gains over time. At the same time, repeat travelers should move faster once biometric data is stored in the system.
EES: Toward Digital Borders
The EU remains committed to modernizing external border controls through digital technology. Therefore, current delays are widely viewed as transitional growing pains.
EES and ETIAS together will reshape how travelers enter Europe by the end of 2026. Eventually, automated systems aim to improve security while speeding up routine crossings.
For now, however, authorities face a balancing act between innovation and operational reality. As travel demand rises, the success of Europe’s biometric border strategy will depend on smooth implementation across major gateways.
Photo by Sweder Breet on Unsplash
