EU border checks queues return
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The gist
EU's EES biometric checks fully enforced from Sep 6, ending queue flexibility. Non-EU travelers face longer waits as passport checks rise from 20-25 to 90 seconds.
Background
The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), which digitally registers non-EU travellers with fingerprints and facial scans, was fully rolled out on 10 April 2026 after a phased start in October 2025. To manage initial chaos, member states were allowed to temporarily suspend biometric checks for up to six hours if queues became excessive, a flexibility widely used by countries like France, Portugal, and Greece during the summer. That flexibility expired on 6-7 September 2026, so border authorities must now enforce biometric checks for all non-EU nationals regardless of queue length, raising concerns about renewed long queues at airports and borders.
How it unfolded
- Oct 2025EES began a phased rollout across participating European borders.
- Apr 10, 2026EES became fully operational across participating European borders, causing long waits at airports.
- Summer 2026EU member states used a temporary flexibility measure to pause biometric checks for up to six hours when queues grew too long, easing congestion at popular destinations like France, Portugal, and Greece.
- Sep 6, 2026The temporary flexibility measures expired, meaning border authorities must now consistently enforce biometric checks for all non-EU travellers, with no queue-length exemption.
- Sep 7, 2026Full enforcement begins, with industry bodies warning of potential long queues and urging the European Commission to extend the 'safety valve'.
Who’s saying what
- Industry
- Travel industry bodies warn that the end of flexibility could bring back long queues seen earlier in the summer and are urging the European Commission to extend the 'safety valve' beyond September.
- Expert
- Jurgen Himmelmann, CEO of Global Work & Travel, says travellers should build significantly more time into journeys, as being stuck in a passport-control queue cannot be skipped even if your flight is boarding.
- Official
- EU-LISA, the EU agency managing EES, confirmed there is no legal requirement for passengers to hold a return ticket, but travellers must be able to demonstrate they will leave within 90 days if asked.
Still unverified
Some member states may not enforce EES biometric controls after the 6 September deadline, according to sources cited by The Guardian.