Is the EU set to relax September’s strict EES implementation?
Nine countries, including France, have asked for greater flexibility
Greater flexibility to suspend the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) at times of high passenger numbers is expected to continue after summer, French media reports.
From September 6, 2026, all current suspension provisions are set to end, requiring airports to register all eligible passengers and collect their biometric data, or check some of the data upon arrival and exit.
However a relaxation of the system’s full implementation is set to take place, allowing entry points to continue to temporarily suspend the system if queues become too long, as they can now, reports La Tribune.
“When it comes to the time after the summer, we are in close and constructive contact with those few member states where there are challenges at certain border crossing points,” a European Commission spokesperson told The Connexion.
“There is a strong joint will to make the system work everywhere. And we work together with members states in this spirit,” the spokesperson added.
Current rules allow airports to temporarily suspend the capturing and checking of biometric data (fingerprints and facial photos) for up to six hours at a time if queues become too long. All entries and exits must still be digitally recorded, however.
Queues of several hours have been reported in recent weeks as peak tourist season begins, whilst reports of people missing flights due to long delays at non-Schengen area gates have also been highlighted, including in France.
France seems to be among the countries least-affected, however.
“In France, we are managing to limit waiting times because the government has stated that it prioritises smooth border processing and will make full use of permitted exemptions as necessary,” said delegate general of the Fédération Nationale de l’Aviation et de ses Métiers (FNAM, aviation union) Laurent Timsit to La Tribune.
Earlier this week, eight EU member states – France, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, as well as Schengen-associated Switzerland – sent a letter to the European Commission asking them to alter EES rules, according to outlet Politico.
Situation ‘deteriorating since start of summer’
The news will come as partial relief for those in the sector, who are warning of major disruption.
On July 1, industry leaders including the Airports Council International (ACI) sent an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen voicing their concerns over the system and arguing that airports were at a ‘critical point’.
The EU responded that it would aim to improve conditions but said the system ‘works well’.
Industry leaders widely disagree.
“The situation is already concerning and has been deteriorating since the start of summer,” said president of the Union des aéroports français (UAF, French airport union) Thomas Juin to La Tribune.
“In France, particularly in Paris, we are seeing an increasing number of instances where travellers have to wait more than an hour. Elsewhere in Europe, some airports have experienced wait times of up to three to five hours,” he added.
“Airlines do not reimburse passengers who miss their flights [due to these issues] as border controls are not their responsibility. These difficulties risk causing confusion and dissatisfaction among passengers.”
Officials at Rome’s airports, which are facing some of the longest queues, said they may be forced to suspend the system. Problems have also been widely reported at Brussels and Frankfurt airports.
Technological issues facing border points include struggles with new self-service kiosks and Parafe e-gates.
“Existing Parafe systems are currently incompatible with the EES, which also severely hampers the smooth flow of the passenger journey,” said Mr Juin.
Communication systems between “the equipment installed at airports and the Ministry of the Interior’s IT systems are not yet fully operational,” he added.
What about pre-September changes?
In its letter, the ACI also asked for more flexible EES suspension rules across the summer period – as an extra 40 million passengers are set to take to European skies – but there has been on response to date
Industry experts want airports to have the ability to suspend EES at any moment to allow them to pre-empt border queues, rather than have to wait first for them to build up.
