EU Entry-Exit System: New Border Tech Triples Airport Wait Times

The European Union’s new digital Entry-Exit System (EES) is causing major delays at passport control, with wait times reportedly tripling at several major airports. In Rome’s Fiumicino airport, officials confirmed that the processing time for non-EU nationals has jumped from seven minutes to approximately 20 minutes per person. The system requires travelers from outside the Schengen area to register fingerprints and facial biometrics upon arrival. Budget airline Ryanair has issued a formal warning to passengers traveling to Europe this summer, advising them to allow significant extra time for their journeys due to what it described as a failed rollout of the technology.

Border authorities in Portugal and Italy have reported that the new automated kiosks and software have been plagued by technical bugs and server crashes. Superintendent Pedro Oliveira at Faro airport noted that queues that previously took 10 minutes are now frequently exceeding 30 minutes. The complexity of registering biometric data for families and children under 12, who cannot use the automated e-gates, has further congested terminal halls. Despite a massive investment of over €12 million in hardware at major hubs like Rome, airport bosses are calling for an urgent fix to the system to avoid permanent damage to the travel experience.

For Indian tourists and business travelers visiting the 29 countries in the Schengen area, these delays represent a significant hurdle for connecting flights and local transportation. Many travelers have reported missing car transfers and even return flights due to queues lasting over two hours at hubs like Barcelona and Rome. While the European Commission maintains that disruption is limited in most airports, they have refused requests from airlines to proactively suspend the biometric checks during peak holiday hours. Travelers are currently advised to check airport-specific apps and arrive at least four hours before their scheduled departure to navigate the new security requirements.