Greece, Italy, and Portugal suspend new EU Entry/Exit System border checks

Greece, Italy, and Portugal have suspended new border checks under the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), providing temporary relief for short-stay travelers facing the 90 180 Schengen rule. The decision, announced on May 3, 2026, comes amid technical glitches and high traveler volumes at key airports and ports, allowing visitors to enter without immediate digital fingerprinting or facial scans required by the EESwww.travelandtourworld.com.

The EES, launched earlier this year, tracks non-EU nationals' stays to enforce the 90 180 limit—permitting up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. Officials cited overwhelming system demands and integration issues with national databases as reasons for the pause, which applies only to new entries while existing records remain active. This move echoes earlier delays in France and other nations, highlighting broader rollout challenges across the 29-country zone[2].

Travel experts anticipate the suspension could last weeks, urging visitors to monitor updates via official EU portals. While it eases immediate bottlenecks, authorities emphasize that overstaying the 90 180 rule still risks future entry bans or fines. The European Commission plans emergency upgrades to resume full operations soon, balancing security with seamless mobility[3].