Overview
- The EU’s Entry/Exit System became operational at all Schengen external borders on 10 April 2026 and replaces passport stamping with biometric registration of non‑EU travellers.
- Reports since the full rollout show long passport‑control queues and cases of missed flights, including incidents at Milan Linate and a Ryanair Toulouse service where large numbers of passengers were delayed.
- IATA has warned of a “hard risk” of three‑to‑six‑hour waits as EES raises processing time per passenger, and airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air are advising travellers to arrive earlier.
- Some member states are using EU rules that allow temporary suspensions or limited exemptions to pause checks during peak periods, and Greece has delayed full EES checks for British visitors this summer.
- Passengers should expect fingerprint and photo checks on first entry, allow extra time at the airport, and note that airlines say they will not hold flights for travellers delayed in border queues and that insurance or carrier compensation is limited.