EU Entry/Exit System Delayed Until September 2026
UK travellers to the European Union have received an unexpected reprieve, with the controversial Entry/Exit System (EES) now delayed until September 2026, six months later than originally planned.
What is the Entry/Exit System?
The EES is a new biometric border control system requiring non-EU travellers to provide fingerprints and facial scans when entering the Schengen Area. Originally scheduled for rollout in spring 2026, the system has faced repeated delays due to chronic understaffing and unresolved technology issues at border points across Europe.
Why the Delay?
The European Commission confirmed the postponement following widespread concerns about border capacity. Recent trials at Lisbon Airport resulted in queues of up to seven hours, prompting a three-month suspension of biometric checks at the Portuguese hub.
Airlines and airport operators, represented by ACI Europe, had warned of "systemic disruption" without operational flexibility. The 90-day suspension period can be extended by a further 60 days if necessary.
What This Means for UK Travellers
- Summer 2026 travel will likely proceed with current passport stamping procedures
- No biometric enrolment required until at least September
- Reduced queue times compared to the projected chaos of full EES implementation
- Uncertainty remains about the system's readiness even for the September launch
The Bigger Picture
The delay highlights ongoing challenges in post-Brexit travel infrastructure. While the UK has maintained passport stamping for EU arrivals, the reciprocal biometric system for UK visitors to Europe has proven technically and operationally difficult to implement at scale.
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