EES Border Checks 2026: Why 9 EU Countries Are Asking Brussels for More Time

Nine European countries have officially asked the European Commission to extend the relaxed regime of the Entry/Exit System (EES) after September 6, 2026. Find out why airports and airlines are criticizing the current control system, what delays occur at the borders and what travelers should consider when planning a trip to the Schengen area

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Nine European countries have asked the European Commission to extend the temporary relaxed regime of the Entry/Exit System (EES) - this is stated in a joint letter from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland, Euronews reports. The letter came amid a wave of complaints from airports and airlines, which once again warn of hours-long queues at the borders. We will tell you the reason for the queues and what the countries are asking the European Commission for.

Also read: What tourists are most often fined for on European roads in 2026.

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EES - what is this system?

EES is a digital entry and exit registration system that requires citizens of non-EU countries to undergo fingerprint and facial scanning when crossing the external border of the Schengen area. The system has been in operation in stages since October 2025, and from April 10, 2026 it has completely replaced traditional passport stamping, allowing for the automatic detection of those who have exceeded the permitted period of stay. It was the first months of the system's full operation that showed how unprepared the EU borders are for the load.

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What are 9 European countries asking the European Commission for?

The ministers of the nine EU states that sent a letter to the European Commission this week do not deny the very idea of ​​biometric control - they confirm their support for the EES as a tool. But they insist on something else: to maintain the “partial suspension” mechanism, which currently allows border guards to temporarily waive biometrics collection in exceptional circumstances in order to avoid creating huge traffic jams, after September 6, 2026.

The letter says that the end of this mechanism on September 6 “raises serious and legitimate concerns”, shared not only by several member states, regardless of their level of readiness, but also by the entire transport sector. Industry representatives frankly believe that technical and operational problems are unlikely to be fully resolved by early September.

The European Commission has not yet given a clear signal whether it will comply. An EC spokesman said that the agency welcomes the confirmation by countries of their intention to fully implement the system, and that Brussels is in close contact with countries experiencing difficulties at individual border crossing points. There has been no formal response to the request for continued flexibility.

Myths about the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) at the link.

Why are airports reporting significant delays?

Complaints about the EES are being heard not only from governments, but also from those who directly encounter queues every day. EasyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis called the queues at borders in recent weeks “completely unacceptable” and called for either effective use of existing flexible mechanisms or for them to be extended beyond the September deadline.

The head of Fraport Greece, which operates 14 airports in Greece, was even more harsh: he openly spoke about the “fundamental flaws” of border controls. According to him, some airports had to install canopies to protect passengers in queues from the sun while data processing is ongoing, and vulnerable travelers are being given priority for security reasons. Emergency suspension mechanisms, in his opinion, are only a temporary patch: the system needs a full upgrade, including the ability to check in before departure, rather than in a live queue at the border.

Earlier this month, European airports, airlines and aviation authorities wrote a joint open letter to the European Commission, warning that delays at some borders were reaching five hours and were seriously disrupting air traffic and the tourism sector as a whole.

Ryanair has previously named the airports with the largest queues through the EES system in the summer of 2026.

What do the discussions around the EES mean for those planning to travel to the EU?

It is important not to confuse two different issues here. The discussion around 6 September is not about whether the EES will operate, but about how flexibly border guards will be able to apply it in practice at the busiest border crossing points. The system itself remains mandatory for all third-country nationals: when crossing the Schengen area’s external border for the first time after the launch of the EES, travellers entering under the visa-free regime will have to undergo a facial scan and fingerprints – this applies to adults and children aged 12 and over.

The continuation of the relaxed regime, if adopted, would mean less chaos in queues at problematic border crossing points rather than a change in the requirements for travellers themselves. Along with the EES, the usual rule of 90 days of stay in any 180 days applies for short-term trips - it is now controlled automatically by the system, so it is worth planning your route in advance and counting the days, especially if you are planning several trips in a row.

In practice, this means that you should allow more time at the border than before, especially during the peak summer months and at the busiest airports and checkpoints in continental Europe.

How to find cheap last-minute flights: 7 tips from Skyscanner at the link.

Delays at EU borders through the EES are not only an inconvenience, but also a real risk of missing a connecting flight, being late for your hotel or finding yourself without a plan of action in a force majeure situation. It is for such cases that travel insurance provides compensation for expenses in case of delay or cancellation of the trip for reasons beyond your control, and also covers emergency medical care if something goes wrong during the trip. The policy will not cover chronic diseases or injuries caused by intoxication, so it is important to carefully read the terms and conditions before applying.

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