Chaos at Schengen borders: airports simply turn off EES biometrics

Chaos has erupted at Schengen borders as major European airports have resorted to disabling the new Entry Exit System (EES) biometric checks during peak travel times. The automated system, designed to manage border control more efficiently for non-EU nationals entering the Schengen area, has instead led to long queues and missed connecting flights. To prevent gridlock, airport operators and border authorities have increasingly turned to a legally permitted emergency measure, temporarily deactivating the collection of biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans. The EES was launched in October 2025 and fully implemented by April 10, 2026. However, its rollout has faced challenges during the summer high season, when passenger volumes surge. When lines grow too long at border checkpoints, the system is suspended. According to reports, this practice has become common at several major European hubs, including Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Brussels, and Milan. Instead of using the automated kiosks for full registration, officials manually verify documents in abbreviated form. This emergency measure falls within the legal framework set by the EU’s EES regulation, which explicitly allows for special provisions under exceptional circumstances to maintain passenger flow during extreme traffic surges. The European Commission granted such a temporary exemption for the summer months under pressure from the travel industry. This exception officially expires on September 6. The decision to allow these exceptions stems from intense feedback from the aviation sector. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr recently described how passengers were missing connecting flights due to delays caused by the entry system. In Frankfurt, the airline had to implement the emergency measure in coordination with German authorities after waiting times became unreasonable. The exemption applies not only to air travel but also to sea ports, road crossings, and international train stations. The origins of the EES trace back to 2017, when the system was approved by the European Parliament as part of the Smart Border Program. Multiple postponements occurred because border authorities lacked both technical readiness and sufficient personnel. A primary cause for current delays lies in the initial registration process: since the system is new, nearly every traveler from third countries must be fully registered for the first time. This requires not only time at terminals but also substantial staff resources. Control teams at key points such as Milan’s Malpensa Airport have long complained of being overwhelmed. Maintaining regular EES operations would require significantly more personnel during peak times. At Brussels Airport, just a few kilometers from the European Commission headquarters, the emergency rule was already invoked earlier this year. Within 21 hours, approximately 600 passengers missed their flights. Despite the temporary shutdowns, border authorities emphasize that security within the Schengen area remains intact. Travelers continue to be recorded in the EES, and their travel documents are systematically checked. Only the time-consuming collection of fingerprints and facial images is temporarily suspended. The European Commission continues to defend the system, stating it enhances citizen safety and replaces outdated manual stamping procedures. Nevertheless, eight EU member states and Switzerland have already requested modifications to the system.