Brussels, March 28, 2026 – The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES), a biometric border control tool for tracking non-EU travelers, has faced yet another delay in its full rollout, pushing the complete implementation beyond the previously set April 10 deadline.etias.comwww.itv.comwww.imidaily.comwww.gov.uk Originally slated for late 2024 and later adjusted to October 2025 with a phased approach, the system launched on October 12, 2025, but persistent technical glitches and airport disruptions have forced EU authorities to extend the gradual deployment.www.afar.com

Despite flagging over 4,000 overstays in its first four months and stabilizing at the central level, the EES has caused significant on-the-ground issues, including multi-hour queues at major hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle and Lisbon airports. Faulty kiosks, software problems, staff shortages, and dual manual-digital processing have inflated border times by up to 70%, prompting warnings for British and other non-EU travelers ahead of peak Easter travel. EU officials, including eu-LISA's Tillmann Keber, describe the core system as "fully stabilised," but airport operators report ongoing congestion as coverage ramps up from 50% since March 10.

The delay raises questions about the timeline for the linked ETIAS pre-travel authorization, now eyed for late 2026, and underscores broader concerns over Schengen border efficiency. British ministers have urged passengers to prepare for extra time at controls, with the UK government allocating over £10 million to key ports like Eurostar and Dover to mitigate impacts. As the EU scrambles to resolve these hurdles, travelers face continued uncertainty in what was meant to streamline short-stay enforcement.