EUROPE | The new Entry/Exit System has been formally adopted by the European Union, making a strict change to border management.
On 10 April 2026, the European Union formally launched its long-anticipated automated Entry/Exit System (EES), marking one of the most significant changes to border management in decades. The system is designed to replace traditional passport stamping for non-EU and non-Schengen travellers with a fully digital process based on biometric identification. Instead of receiving ink stamps in their passports, visitors are now required to undergo high-resolution facial imaging and submit ten-fingerprint scans at border entry points.
The goal of the system is to strengthen security, improve tracking of short-stay visitors, and streamline border processing across the Schengen Area. In theory, the EES should allow authorities to more accurately monitor entry and exit dates, detect overstays, and reduce identity fraud. However, the initial rollout revealed major operational challenges, particularly in France, one of Europe’s busiest entry points for international travel.
Within the first week of deployment, several major French airports, including Paris Beauvais, Marseille Provence, and Nantes Atlantique, experienced severe congestion. Despite years of preparation time, authorities struggled with a shortage of functioning biometric kiosks, insufficient staffing levels, and recurring software timeouts in the new system. These technical and logistical issues quickly created bottlenecks at border control areas.
As a result, non-EU travellers reported waiting times exceeding two hours in some terminals. The delays caused missed onward flights, overcrowded immigration halls, and significant disruption to airport operations. Families and tourists were among those most affected, particularly during peak travel windows when passenger volumes were already high.
In response to the situation, Ryanair issued a formal appeal to the French government, requesting a temporary suspension or delay of the biometric registration requirement until September. The airline argued that the current implementation was generating unnecessary friction and risking the disruption of the upcoming peak summer travel season. The European Commission, however, clarified that while the system would remain in force, individual member states retain operational flexibility. This means French border authorities can temporarily pause biometric enrolment procedures during periods of extreme congestion, reverting to simplified manual checks when necessary to maintain passenger flow. Meanwhile, travel industry operators have advised non-EU travellers to carry printed copies of key documents, including accommodation confirmations and return flight itineraries. These paper backups can help border officials verify travel details manually in the event of system delays or technical outages, ensuring smoother processing when digital systems become overloaded.
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