The European Union's newly launched Entry/Exit System (EES), intended to replace manual passport stamping with biometric checks for non-EU travelers, encountered significant operational delays and technical glitches on April 12, 2026, just days after its full rollout on April 10.ground.newswww.thetraveler.org Airports and border points across the Schengen area reported queues stretching up to three hours, missed flights, and patchy implementation, fueling worries about the upcoming ETIAS delay as the related electronic travel authorization system remains slated for late 2026.www.travelpulse.camoney-tourism.grwww.visahq.com Despite months of preparation, the transition has sparked chaos at key hubs like Frankfurt and Channel ports, where biometric kiosks failed, forcing a revert to manual processing.

Industry groups, including airports and airlines, have urged EU authorities for greater flexibility during this teething phase, citing insufficient hardware, staffing shortages, and bottlenecks for first-time enrollments. Reports from cross-Channel services highlight particular strain at UK-facing borders, with congestion for coach and car passengers amid tight schedules. In Germany, major airports like Munich and Berlin are now linked to the central eu-LISA database, but peak-hour waits have disrupted thousands of travelers, prompting airlines like Lufthansa to issue advisories.

As the EES stabilizes, experts recommend travelers allocate extra time—up to 15-20 minutes—at external borders and monitor airport updates, especially with ETIAS delay potentially extending preparation needs into next year.www.portugalresident.com While the European Commission insists the system is fully operational, ongoing disruptions underscore the challenges of Europe's shift to digital border controls.