- Passport checks in Europe now include fingerprints and facial scans
- Waiting times reportedly reach up to three hours at some airports
- Only 10% of travelers are currently registered under the new system
- By January 2026, that figure rises to 35% — and yes, airports are worried
Europe has officially entered the era where digital efficiency means standing in line longer than the flight itself.
The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) — a digital border control system designed to modernize passport checks — is already producing queues of up to three hours at major airports, according to Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe).
This is happening while the system is still operating at a modest 10% registration rate.
What could go wrong next.
How the System Works in Theory
The EES applies to third-country nationals, including British travelers, and replaces the old-fashioned ritual of passport stamping with something far more futuristic: fingerprints, facial biometrics, and a short bonding moment with a kiosk that may or may not be working.
Instead of one officer and one stamp, travelers are now guided toward special self-service machines, where they are invited to present their fingers, face, and remaining patience.
The rollout began gradually in October. Gradually, in this context, means slow enough to cause chaos without actually fixing anything yet.
How it Works in Practice
According to ACI Europe, even this limited implementation has already:
- Slowed passport control operations
- Created bottlenecks at arrivals
- Disrupted airport workflows
And again, this is with only 10% of travelers going through full digital registration.
From January 9, 2026, that figure is expected to rise to 35%.
Airports are preparing accordingly. Emotionally, at least.
Airports Warn of “Systemic Disruption”
ACI Europe’s Director General, Olivier Jankovec, has been unusually direct by institutional standards:
“Passengers are already experiencing significant inconvenience and airport operations are being affected, even though registration currently stands at just 10%.”
He adds that without immediate operational fixes, higher participation rates could lead to:
- Severe congestion
- System-wide disruption
- Potential security implications
In other words, the system designed to improve control might first need to control itself.
Where the Pressure Is Worst
According to ACI Europe, the heaviest strain is being felt in countries that — inconveniently — happen to have a lot of tourists: France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
In short, Europe’s main entry points for visitors.
The Official Response from Brussels
The European Commission, meanwhile, sees no particular problem.
According to a Commission spokesperson, the system:
- Is “generally operating without issues.”
- Has already registered more than half of the arrivals
- Has not confirmed three-hour waits or a 70% increase in control times
Reality, it seems, is still under internal review.
The Commission also reminds member states that they may partially or fully suspend the system in emergency situations or peak periods — a comforting thought, if you enjoy the idea of a digital system that works best when it is switched off.
What Comes Next
The full rollout of the Entry/Exit System is scheduled for completion by April 9, 2026.
In the meantime, ACI Europe is calling for:
- A slower implementation timeline
- Better-functioning kiosks
- Adequate staffing at border controls
- Effective pre-registration tools
All radical concepts in modern aviation.
For travelers, the message is simpler:
Arrive early. Very early. Possibly the night before.
Because Europe’s borders may now be digital — but the queues are as physical as ever.