The European Commission has granted at least nine Schengen Zone countries permission to delay the full rollout of the Entry/Exit System (EES) until the end of 2026. The affected countries—France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland—can now wait until the necessary technology for facial and fingerprint scans is fully operational.
Background and implementation challenges
Introduced in October 2025, the EES replaced traditional manual passport stamping with electronic tracking. The system requires non-EU citizens to register fingerprints and photos when entering any of the 29 Schengen Area countries. However, since partial implementation, European airports have experienced queues lasting multiple hours at passport control, with some passengers missing their flights.
Over the summer, member states were allowed to partially suspend digital checks in exceptional circumstances to speed up processing. That grace period ended on September 6, prompting criticism from airlines. Ryanair's Chief Operating Officer Neal McMahon called the system a 'shambles' and urged the EU Commission to extend the EES derogation until April 2027.
EU response and next steps
In response, the European Commission said it is in 'close and constructive contact' with member states where adjustments are needed, particularly to speed up passenger flow at certain crossing points. A spokesperson told The i Paper: 'We have asked them to further intensify their operational preparedness, including the necessary technical, organisational and communication measures, with a view to ensuring that remaining challenges are fully addressed by the end of the year.'
How the EES system works
Most travellers from outside the EU—known as third-country nationals—must register their passport details and biometric data when crossing into an EU country for the first time. Biometric data includes fingerprints and facial pictures. This data, along with entry and exit details, is stored for subsequent visits. Future visits only require verification of the biometric data, which can speed up the process.
Border officials will also ask extra questions about accommodation, sufficient funds for the trip, insurance, and return tickets. Children are not exempt from checks, although those under 12 do not need to provide fingerprints; however, they must have their face scanned.
EES checks in the UK and exemptions
Usually, EES checks are carried out at the destination airport or port on arrival. Exceptions include the Port of Dover, St Pancras International, and Folkestone, where travellers heading to the EU undergo checks at these dual British and French border locations. This means passengers do not need to go through checks again when arriving on the European mainland.
Exempt from the EES are EU passport holders (including Irish and Cyprus), British passport holders with an EU residency permit or long-stay visa, and nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City State/Holy See.
The Schengen Area currently includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
