Travellers to the European Union could face renewed border queues after the bloc’s flexibility period for its Entry/Exit System ended on 6 September. However, biometric checks are not expected to be enforced consistently at every crossing, according to industry sources and statements from transport operators.
The system requires biometric information, including fingerprints, from non-EU citizens. Airlines and travel organisations have warned that delays linked to the rollout have already caused passengers to miss flights and connections.
Why enforcement may remain uneven
The European Commission has not extended the discretionary period that allowed border checks to be paused when necessary. It said it remained in close contact with a small number of member states where adjustments were still needed at particular border crossings, and that it was ready to provide additional support during the operational adjustment period.
A senior airline source said full enforcement was not expected at the busiest European airports. Border officials in major tourist destinations, including Greece, appeared to have unofficially exempted UK passengers from EES checks to avoid queues, and the source expected that practice to continue.
Who is affected
- Cross-Channel travellers to France are not expected to see an immediate change because of technical problems with French EES software.
- Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and Eurostar have fingerprinting equipment that is not yet fully operational.
- Eurostar said EES enrolments would continue to be completed manually by border officers.
- Dover said car drivers were not yet subject to EES checks and it was not expecting changes the following week.
What travellers using France routes should know
The fingerprinting kiosks procured by Eurotunnel, the Port of Dover and Eurostar at London St Pancras were still not operational. Eurotunnel said it was waiting for confirmation from French authorities about the timing of the next phase and was ready to introduce full biometric checks once formal clearance was granted.
The aviation and travel industries said the absence of severe peak-season queues did not show that the rollout problems had been resolved. They attributed the avoidance of earlier disruption in part to relaxed enforcement of biometric requirements.
Industry calls for more flexibility
The airlines’ trade body Iata has called for the discretionary suspension powers to be extended through the end of 2026. Its head of external affairs, Thomas Reynaert, said EES delays had caused passengers to miss flights and connections, creating costs for airlines and damaging confidence in the system.
Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at the UK travel industry trade body Abta, said the organisation was continuing to press the European Commission for flexibility beyond September because EES was not yet fully and consistently operational across all participating countries.
What happens next
Airlines and the travel industry are continuing to press the European Commission to extend discretionary suspension powers through the end of 2026, while the commission says it is supporting member states at border crossings that need further operational adjustment.
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