The European Union’s ambitious Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to enhance border security through biometric checks, is facing implementation delays across nine member states. This development comes as countries such as France, Greece, Italy, and Portugal request additional time to fully integrate the system in their busy airports and border crossings.
Launched in October last year, the EES mandates that non-EU travelers entering the Schengen area have their fingerprints and facial images recorded. However, technical and operational challenges, particularly at high-traffic travel hubs, have prompted countries including Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium to seek more time for a seamless rollout. In contrast, Spain has managed to overcome early hurdles and has moved ahead with full implementation.
According to EU sources, the EES has already logged approximately 200 million registrations and has successfully barred about 70,000 individuals from entering the Schengen area. These include travelers lacking necessary visas, those who overstayed their permitted duration, and individuals attempting entry with forged documents. Despite these successes, implementation remains inconsistent across various regions.
Some locations, such as the Eurostar terminals in Brussels and the port of Antwerp, have begun biometric checks, while major airports like Frankfurt and Schiphol are operational. Yet, smaller airports continue to struggle with capacity and infrastructure limitations. The International Air Transport Association has expressed concerns about potential delays caused by the system, and airlines have warned about possible disruptions during peak travel periods.
To streamline the process, a pre-travel application known as Travel to Europe is being introduced, allowing travelers to submit passport details and facial images before reaching the border. This application is already in use in Sweden and Portugal, with plans for expansion to additional countries.