The new European Entry/Exit System (EES) is putting airports to the test as the Schengen area faces summer travel challenges.
Since the biometric system became fully operational, it has effectively replaced passport stamping for most non-EU travelers.
Unfortunately, the technology has also triggered major bottlenecks at a number of airports and border crossings. In fact, ACI Europe notes that travelers occasionally waited up to five hours to undergo the complete biometirc processing.
As a result, officials can temporarily pause biometric processing when lines go beyond critical limits.
Notably, the European Commission has allowed this flexibility until September 6. But Switzerland and other countries have also requested extension if the congestion persists.
Simultaneously, Europe is enforcing stricter travel procedures while preparing for another major digital system for visa-exempt travelers.
Overall, these developments mark a bigger challenge for European officials, who must tighten border security while preventing new travel hurdles.
EES congestion puts biometric borders under pressure
EES records the movements of most non-EU travelers making short visits to participating European countries.
Specifically, the system records entries and exits alongside biometric information, including fingerprints and facial images. It also helps authorities identify travelers who overstay their permitted visits.
European officials designed EES to modernize border management and improve security. Yet its rollout has shown how technology can slow processing when infrastructure struggles with passenger volumes.
In July, ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe and the International Air Transport Association issued an urgent appeal to European Commission leadership. They warned that EES disruption had reached a “critical point” for travelers.
Moreover, EU officials acknowledged 20 difficult locations affected by queue problems, according to reports cited by Euronews. Nevertheless, officials rejected calls to suspend the entire system.
Temporary biometric shutdowns can also create another problem.
When authorities suspend automated processing, passengers may return to slower manual passport checks. As a result, shutting down biometrics does not necessarily eliminate delays.
Biometric requirements also affect visa applicants
The shift toward biometric travel documents now reaches travelers before they arrive at European borders.
France’s consulate in Lebanon has stopped accepting non-biometric Lebanese passports for Schengen visa applications through its Beirut application center.
Therefore, Lebanese applicants holding older passports must secure biometric documents before applying for French Schengen visas.
The change accompanies Lebanon’s broader move away from its older 2003-model passports.
However, the French measure does not represent a blanket Schengen ban on all non-biometric passports. Instead, it applies to the specific visa application process announced for Lebanese passport holders.
Still, the policy illustrates Europe’s wider reliance on biometrics for identity verification and border management.
Visa appointment fraud exposes another digital weakness
Digitalization has also created vulnerabilities before travelers submit their visa applications.
Turkish authorities recently detained 49 suspects in an investigation involving alleged manipulation of Schengen visa appointment systems.
Investigators accused suspects of using automated software to capture appointments before ordinary applicants could secure them.
The appointments were then allegedly resold through intermediary companies.
According to Hürriyet Daily News, authorities linked the companies to more than 41,000 customers. Investigators also cited more than 918 million Turkish liras in collected payments.
The scale reflects strong demand for Schengen travel from Türkiye. The country generated about 1.26 million Schengen visa applications in 2025, making it the second-largest source market.
Consequently, scarce appointments can create opportunities for intermediaries using automated tools to exploit high demand.
EES problems raise questions over ETIAS
Europe’s border overhaul is not finished.
The European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS, is scheduled to introduce another digital requirement for visa-exempt travelers.
Under ETIAS, eligible visitors will complete an online application and undergo security screening before traveling. The authorization will cover travelers from 60 non-EU countries and apply across 30 European countries.
An authorization will generally remain valid for three years or until the linked passport expires.
The system officially remains scheduled to start during the final quarter of 2026.
However, the Financial Times reported that the launch could move into 2027. The official ETIAS website had not confirmed a postponement when Euronews published its report in July.
“ETIAS is currently not in operation and no applications for travel authorisations are collected at this point,” wrote the EU on its website. “The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.”
EES difficulties appear central to those concerns.
One person briefed on ETIAS discussions told the Financial Times there were still some IT issues.
Furthermore, ETIAS depends on EES infrastructure functioning effectively. Adding another digital layer could increase pressure on border systems already handling biometric checks.
September will provide the next major test
European authorities now face a difficult balance between stronger security and efficient passenger movement.
Biometric passports can strengthen identity verification, while EES gives authorities more accurate information about border crossings.
Likewise, ETIAS aims to screen visa-exempt travelers before they arrive.
However, stronger digital controls only work smoothly when technology, staffing and airport infrastructure can handle demand.
The Sept. 6 expiration of current EES flexibility measures will therefore become an important test.
If congestion persists, European authorities could face further pressure to extend operational flexibility.
Meanwhile, uncertainty over ETIAS will keep attention on whether Europe can stabilize EES before adding its next digital border requirement.
Photo by Ugur Peker on Unsplash
