Non-EU citizens are facing several hours of delays [1] at European airports due to the implementation of the new Entry-Exit System.
The transition to this digital border-control process has caused widespread chaos during the June 2026 summer travel season [2]. By replacing traditional passport stamping with a digital system that is not yet equipped to handle high passenger volumes, the EU has created significant bottlenecks at key transit hubs [3].
Berlin Brandenburg Airport has emerged as a primary example of the systemic failure. The airport boss said, "Stop pretending it’s working" [4].
The disruptions have been concentrated across seven airports identified as the worst for queue chaos [5]. These delays have prompted industry leaders to call for a temporary reversal of the policy. A Ryanair spokesperson said families could face queue chaos and urged governments to postpone the system until after the summer holiday period [6].
In response to the growing pressure, EU officials have moved to coordinate with the aviation sector. The EU aviation commissioner said an urgent meeting with airlines was called on 23 June 2026 to address the situation immediately [7].
The Entry-Exit System was designed to automate the recording of border crossings, but the current lack of readiness has turned the digital transition into a logistical hurdle for millions of travelers, specifically those from outside the European Union.
“Stop pretending it’s working.”
The friction at EU borders highlights a critical gap between the European Union's digital policy goals and the physical infrastructure required to execute them. By removing the analog passport-stamping process before the digital alternative could scale, the EU has created a single point of failure that threatens the efficiency of the summer tourism economy and strains relations with international carriers.
