EU’s New Biometric Border Checks Trigger Hour-Long Airport Queues
Oct 16, 2025
Category: Border and Security EES EU News
Passengers arriving in parts of Europe faced long waits at border control over the weekend, as the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) came into operation.
The system’s initial rollout at Prague Airport led to delays of up to 90 minutes for some passengers, marking a difficult start for one of the EU’s most ambitious border digitization efforts.
Introduced on October 12, the EES replaces manual passport stamping with biometric registration for travelers from “third countries” — those outside the EU and Schengen zone, including the United Kingdom.
The system automatically logs entries and exits, creating a centralized database aimed at tightening security and preventing overstays.
Long queues, offline machines
According to reports from The Independent and Manchester Evening News, queues built up at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport on launch day as passengers arriving from the UK, Turkey, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates underwent the new biometric checks.
Several travelers described the process as chaotic, with some machines offline and border guards processing fingerprints and facial scans manually at passport desks.
Hamilton Nash, a passenger from London, said the wait stretched to nearly an hour and a half. “Just fought through the queues. No machines operating. It’s an hour to 90-minute long queue,” he said.
Another traveler, Stuart Linden Rhodes, reported that “all machines [were] still switched off, heading to an hour now. Fingers and eyes being done at the passport control desk.”
In response to congestion, airport authorities reportedly allowed British and Australian passport holders to use the EU lanes temporarily.
Patchwork rollout across the EU
The EES is being phased in over the next six months, with each Schengen country responsible for integrating the system at its borders by spring 2026.
While the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Luxembourg began full implementation on October 12, other member states opted for a slower approach. Spain, for example, plans to introduce the system gradually to minimize disruption for travelers.
When fully operational, the system will apply across all 27 Schengen countries — including France, Germany, Italy, and the Nordic states — covering around 1,800 border crossings.
In total, the Schengen zone registers over 500 million entries and exits annually.
Officials expect a “bumpy” winter
Transport and travel leaders have warned of continuing delays through the winter as border staff adjust to the new procedures.
Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair, told the Evening Standard he expects “it’s going to go wrong.” He added, “We’re moving into the winter period, so there’s a lot less pressure on, but I think it will be bumpy and lumpy through the winter.”
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of the UK’s Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), also cautioned travelers to expect delays. “I’m afraid there will undoubtedly be some delays as this new entry and exit system for the Schengen area comes into effect,” Tanzer said.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Travel Partnership, advised passengers to arrive early and plan for extended processing times. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today program, she recommended leaving “between three and four hours from the point of entry” to avoid missing flights.
“If you’re not leaving yourself enough time and you unfortunately arrive at an airport where there is a bottleneck, this is going to add another layer of frustration and delay,” she said.
Replacing passport stamps with biometric data
The EES marks a fundamental shift in how Europe monitors cross-border movement.
Travelers from outside the EU and Schengen zone — including tourists, business visitors, and short-term students — will have their fingerprints and facial images taken upon first entry.
These details will be stored in a centralized EU database, replacing the traditional ink stamp that border officers have used for decades.
The database will record a traveler’s name, passport details, biometric identifiers, and entry and exit dates. Authorities said that this will help identify overstayers, strengthen border security, and streamline checks once travelers are pre-registered in the system.
The EES applies to all travelers requiring a short-stay visa or who are visa-exempt but not EU citizens — a category that includes UK nationals following Brexit.
Early technical problems
Technical challenges have plagued the system’s debut. At Prague Airport, border staff were reportedly instructed to collect biometric data at their booths after newly installed kiosks failed to function as intended.
Similar systems at other European entry points, including train terminals like London’s St. Pancras, have been previewed but not yet activated.
The system’s partial rollout also means travelers may face inconsistent procedures depending on their destination. Some airports have deployed the technology only for arrivals, while others will extend it to departures in coming months.
In the meantime, travelers must still have their passports stamped in addition to the new biometric checks.
Mixed traveler reactions
Many travelers expressed frustration at the long waits and unclear instructions. One British tourist told The Independent they were unprepared for the process and had not been informed of the new rules before departure.
Another said that despite initial confusion, staff “did their best to move things along” once extra passport lanes opened.
Social media posts from affected passengers showed long queues snaking through Prague Airport’s Terminal 1, where border officers manually recorded data.
Some users described the experience as “chaotic but expected,” while others criticized the lack of communication from airlines and airport authorities.
Broader implementation plans
According to EU officials, the EES is part of a wider border modernization initiative that includes the upcoming European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), scheduled for full launch in 2026.
ETIAS will require non-EU travelers to apply online before entering the bloc, similar to the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Together, EES and ETIAS aim to strengthen Europe’s external borders and replace outdated manual procedures with digital monitoring.
The European Commission has said that these systems will enhance security and reduce fraud, though rollout delays and cost overruns have drawn criticism from member states and transport operators.
Short-term and long-term impact
For short-term visitors such as tourists and business travelers, the new system is expected to cause longer wait times at land, sea, and air borders until full automation is achieved.
Over time, officials argue, pre-registration will reduce delays, allowing returning travelers to pass through faster.
For long-term residents and migrants, EES will not replace existing residence permits but will create a unified record of entries and exits that may later interface with national immigration databases.
This integration could streamline visa management and bolster the enforcement of overstaying rules, a long-standing challenge for Schengen authorities.
Lessons from the rollout
The Prague launch offers a preview of potential issues ahead. Analysts noted that while the system’s technology is sound, its success will depend on adequate staffing, training, and coordination between national border forces.
The use of biometric kiosks — similar to those already in use at some airports outside Europe — requires passengers to follow clear instructions, something that may prove difficult during busy travel periods.
Travel associations are urging EU governments to strengthen traveler communication campaigns before next year’s summer season.
“Transparency will be key,” said Julia Lo Bue-Said, noting that “passengers must know what to expect at every stage of their journey.”
Keeping borders moving smoothly
The EES rollout marks a pivotal shift in how Europe manages its external borders, but the early turbulence shows how ambitious reforms can collide with practical challenges.
For travelers, these delays are more than a minor inconvenience; they highlight how digital border management affects millions of daily journeys. The EU aims for faster, more secure travel in the long run, but smooth implementation will require technical reliability and clear communication.
As more member states adopt the EES before next year’s full deployment, the test will be whether efficiency catches up to ambition.
For now, passengers might find themselves planning extra time at airports or rethinking travel routes.