European Union authorities have implemented a new Entry/Exit System for non-EU passport holders, resulting in longer queues at airports across the region [1, 2].
The system marks a significant shift in border management by replacing manual passport stamping with biometric data collection. This transition aims to tighten security and better track migration, but the initial rollout has disrupted travel during the busy summer season.
The Entry/Exit System went fully live on 10 April 2026 [3]. The process requires travelers to provide a facial image and fingerprints, a procedure designed to take around 70 seconds per person [1]. By recording this data, EU authorities intend to more effectively identify and catch overstayers who exceed their legal stay in the Schengen area [1, 2].
Despite the goal of efficiency, the implementation has faced immediate challenges. Rebecca Ann Hughes said the first days of the system saw long queues at airports, with some travelers missing flights [3]. While some travel guides suggest the system can be navigated smoothly, other reports indicate the process is not yet working as intended [2, 4].
Travel experts quoted by CBS News said to be prepared for potential disruptions as countries iron out wrinkles of the European Union's so-called Entry/Exit System [2]. The biometric requirements add a mandatory layer of processing for every non-EU national entering or leaving the bloc, a change that has noticeably slowed the flow of passengers through border checkpoints [1, 4].
Authorities in Brussels maintain that the system is necessary for improved migration management. However, the friction at border points remains a primary concern for tourists and business travelers this summer [1, 2].
“The Entry/Exit System was designed to log your face and fingerprints in around 70 seconds to catch overstayers.”
The transition to a fully digital, biometric border system represents a move toward a 'smart border' strategy to combat illegal migration and visa overstays. While the 70-second processing time seems minimal per person, the cumulative effect on thousands of passengers creates significant bottlenecks. The current disruptions highlight the gap between the theoretical efficiency of biometric software and the physical reality of airport infrastructure during peak travel periods.
