I major European airports they are temporarily suspending i biometric controls of the Entry/Exit System during peak periods to prevent queues at border crossings from causing delays and inconveniences during the height of the summer exodus. The measure is already in use at the hubs of Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels, and Milan and may be applied, in the presence of "exceptional" circumstances, at least Until 6 September 2026.
This isn't about canceling the EES or stopping passenger checks. When the biometric system is relaxed, document checks and border police checks remain in place. The goal is simply: make transit faster when the influx of travellers exceeds the capacity of the available stations.
Airports suspend EES as queues increase
The decision arises from the difficulties recorded in the main European airports During summer peak traffic. Air France-KLM has confirmed that in Paris and Amsterdam, the EES is temporarily deactivated when queues threaten to compromise the flow of passengers. A similar solution is also being adopted in Frankfurt, Brussels, and Milan. The main issue concerns the initial registration of travelers subject to the new system. Acquiring passport data, facial photographs, and fingerprints can take several minutes. This time, when multiplied by thousands of passengers, can cause significant delays during peak periods.
Airports and airlines already had operational problems reported and difficulties in using self-service kiosks. IATA also warned that, in the most critical scenarios, waits could reach several hours during the summer.
The possibility of temporarily easing controls is provided for by European legislationThe Commission has authorized the suspension of part of the biometric registration process until September 6 when the situation at airports becomes exceptionally complex.
What is the Entry/Exit System and who does it concern?
The Entry/Exit System It is the European IT system that automatically records the entries and exits of third-country nationals who make short stays in the 29 countries that use it. The EES was introduced gradually from 12 October 2025 and will be fully operational from 10 April 2026. The system was designed to gradually replace the traditional passport stamp and concerns non-EU travellers who can stay in the affected area for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.
At the first registration Travel document data is acquired along with facial image and fingerprints. For subsequent crossings, when the information is already in the system, the process should be faster.
The European Union's objective is modernize border controls, automatically verify the length of stays, identify any irregular stays and strengthen the security of the Schengen area.
What changes for those leaving Italy
For citizens of Italy and other European Union countries, the temporary suspension of the EES does not substantially alter normal travel procedures. The system primarily affects non-EU citizens, and certain categories are also exempt under European regulations.
Lo Temporary Stop The biometric aspect does not mean border controls are unchecked. Passports and documents continue to be checked, and border police retain the ability to carry out all necessary checks. During periods of peak congestion, airports may resort to more streamlined procedures or, in some cases, exceptionally revert to manual checks. The EES can then be reactivated when traffic returns to manageable levels.
For those traveling in August, therefore, the risk of encountering queues doesn't completely disappear. Checkpoint procedures can change even during the same day based on the number of arrivals and departures.
Italy and eight other countries ask for an extension
La The derogation granted by the European Commission expires on 6 September, but nine countries They are already calling for the possibility of flexible management of the EES to be maintained beyond that date. Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Malta, Portugal, and Switzerland have reaffirmed their "unreserved commitment" to the full implementation of the system, while emphasizing that the experience of the initial months has shown that, in exceptional situations, "significant difficulties" can arise.
Brussels continues to defend the Entry/Exit System. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged the existence of some "technical problems," while European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner recalled that the system has already recorded nearly 110 million entries and exits. According to the data cited by the commissioner, approximately 45 thousand people have already been rejected because they were in possession of false, incorrect, or counterfeit documents. In 1.100 cases, the refusal was related to potential threats to the security of the European Union.
For European airports, the priority, at least until the end of the summer, therefore remains finding a balance between safety and traffic flowWhen queues become too long, the biometric component can be temporarily relaxed to prevent the new system from blocking the continent's main hubs.
