The European Union has introduced additional flexibility into the rollout of its new Entry-Exit System (EES), effectively allowing Schengen Area countries to delay full enforcement until late summer 2026 in order to manage peak-season border pressures.
The biometric border system, which replaces manual passport-stamping for non-EU visitors, began a phased introduction in October 2025 and had been due to be fully implemented by 10 April 2026. However, the EU has now confirmed that participating countries will be able to extend the transition period into early September if required.
Markus Lammert, spokesperson for internal affairs at the European Commission, said the move does not represent a further delay but rather the use of flexibilities already built into the legislation.
“The progressive deployment of the EES will end on 9 April 2026,” Lammert said. “However, the EES regulation already foresees certain flexibilities for member states after completion of the rollout.”
Under these provisions, countries will be able to partially suspend EES operations for up to 90 days after April, with a possible additional 60-day extension to cover the height of the summer travel season. The aim, Lammert added, is to give border authorities “the necessary tools to manage potential extended queues”.
EES applies to visitors from so-called “third countries”, including the UK and the US, and records biometric data such as facial scans and fingerprints on entry and exit from the Schengen Area. While designed to enhance security and automate border checks, the system has raised concerns about longer processing times at busy airports, ports and land crossings.
The EU has played down operational challenges so far, but industry bodies have been more vocal. ACI Europe warned of “mounting operational issues” during the early stages of the rollout in December. Lisbon Airport temporarily suspended use of the system last winter after queues built up, resuming testing in mid-January.
The added flexibility is intended to reduce disruption during the 2026 summer peak, when millions of non-EU travellers are expected to enter the bloc.
EES is a prerequisite for the EU’s forthcoming European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which is scheduled to become operational in the final quarter of 2026. ETIAS will require visa-exempt travellers to apply online for pre-travel authorisation, similar to the UK’s ETA scheme and the US ESTA.
However, EU officials have stressed that EES and ETIAS are separate systems, with ETIAS not dependent on the day-to-day operation of EES at the border.
For travellers this summer, the message is mixed but reassuring: biometric checks are coming, but border authorities will have greater discretion to ease congestion during Europe’s busiest travel months.