From a distance, the queue appeared manageable—just a small group of weary travelers and two blinking kiosks—but in a matter of minutes, the rhythm of movement broke down. An individual from Minnesota requested assistance scanning his passport. Uncertain of whether to wait or try another machine, a Melbourne family moved uneasily. Their holiday had begun with uncertainty rather than pleasure due to the EU’s new Entry-Exit System.
The goal of this reform, which is already taking place throughout the Schengen area, is to update border checks for visitors from outside the EU using biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial scans. It’s a turning point in digital governance for security professionals and decision-makers. It is now an unexpected cause of delays for travelers landing in Paris, Rome, or Lisbon and more.
It is intended that the system will eventually take the place of conventional passport stamps. However, during this time of change, visitors sometimes see what airport employees have dubbed “double red tape”—manual stamping and computerized scanning done simultaneously. The goal is praiseworthy. For now, at least, the experience is slow.
Processing non-EU arrivals is taking much longer during peak hours. There have been reports of lines at French and Spanish airports lasting more than three hours, especially when several long-haul aircraft arrive at the same time. Infrastructure that is still getting used to a very accurate system with very low tolerance for hiccups is the cause of this increase, not merely new protocols.
| Key Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| New System | The EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) launched in October 2025 |
| Primary Cause | Biometric registration for non-EU travelers: fingerprints + facial scan |
| Duration Impact | Border checks taking up to 70% longer at major airports and ports |
| Rollout Phase | Currently affecting 10–35% of travelers; full scale by April 2026 |
| Notable Delays | Reported queues of 3–4 hours at peak times in France, Germany, Spain |
| Tech Issues | Self-service kiosks malfunctioning, app unavailability, system outages |
| Staffing Strain | Shortage of trained personnel to handle new procedures |
| Broader System | EES will link with ETIAS, an upcoming pre-travel authorization rule |
Travelers are being prompted to enter their biometric information at self-service kiosks before speaking with a border official. These devices are very effective when they are operating. On the other hand, instant congestion occurs when they are offline or when a traveler is unable to use them.
Airport officials report that misconfigured kiosks, scanner problems, and software outages have occurred in certain places. Others just don’t have enough room, particularly on older terminals that weren’t designed with biometric processing in mind. Preventable friction has also resulted from the absence of a pre-registration app. A large portion of the stress may be front-loaded if passengers could finish a portion of the procedure prior to landing.
This timing has been especially difficult on the back of mass tourism after the outbreak. Helping bewildered travelers while adhering to security procedures is now the responsibility of airport employees who were already struggling to fill staffing shortages. It’s a fine balancing act, and both weekends and holidays have proven to be particularly challenging.
The situation gets considerably more difficult in the Port of Dover. Ferry terminals must handle each vehicle occupant separately, in contrast to airports where passengers enter on foot. For biometric scans, passengers must frequently get out of their cars, which adds a step that causes traffic jams in places not intended for such foot traffic. In order to keep traffic from overflowing onto nearby roadways, some border authorities have temporarily halted biometric checks during peak hours.
The European Commission maintains that the implementation has been successful in the majority of places, pointing out that border guards are getting quicker as they adjust. According to reports, several airports have already processed more than 50% of arriving travelers through the new system, surpassing early registration targets.
However, not every change is being felt immediately. On paper, a software success could seem like a logistical failure when you’re the sixth person in a line that has stopped and you see other people struggling with sporadic fingerprint sensors.
During my transfer through Munich last month, I became aware of this. Although two kiosks had crashed behind her, a staff member calmly led customers through the procedure. It was only 10:45 a.m., but the border agent on duty informed me that it had already been “a long day.”
In early 2026, as more passengers are routed via the system, worries are growing. Currently, the registration threshold is approximately 35%. That figure is anticipated to increase once more by spring. A slower ramp-up has been requested by airport trade associations, such as ACI Europe, in order to prevent “systemic disruption.” They have identified infrastructure limitations, poor personnel training, and variable software performance as major threats.
In order to avoid undue delays, officials maintain that in extraordinary circumstances, nations may temporarily halt or restrict EES processing. However, the fact that these options are required at all indicates how difficult the change has been.
The longer-term outlook is still encouraging. When completely optimized, the EES may offer significantly greater border accuracy, better overstay tracking, and a simpler route to future pre-cleared travel. ETIAS, the next travel authorization scheme that will add another digital layer to EU entrance, might also work well with it.
Currently, however, visitors are advised to arrive early, allow additional time for connections, and anticipate potentially slow lines. Tight layovers are increasingly risky for people with connecting flights.
Although this issue is temporary, it is a glaring example of technology surpassing logistics. The concept behind EES is progressive, perhaps groundbreaking. However, the execution still feels like a large-scale beta test at this point.
Whether they want it or not, travelers are changing their habits, employees are getting new training, and terminal signage is being altered throughout Europe. It is settling in, slowly but certainly.
The human element—the patience of a border guard, the perplexity of a passenger, the silent sigh of a family detained in line—remains the most revealing indicator of how well it’s functioning, even though a facial scan may soon completely replace a border stamp.
