06/06/2026
THE NEW EUROPEAN UNION ENTRY & EXIT SYSTEM:
A decade in the making, the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now being fully implemented, but travellers are experiencing major delays.
Australians in Europe are being warned of continued airport disruption.
Australians jetting off to Europe for summer are being warned of continued airport disruption, with the new passport security system triggering chaotic queues and hours-long delays.
Travellers will now be fingerprinted and face-scanned on arrival, as the European Union rolls out its new Entry/Exit System (EES) across the board.
The sweeping new digital system, designed to track arrivals and departures, was introduced in April, but longer queues and slower processing times have meant an uptick in missed flights.
Advertisement
According to Jürgen Himmelmann, Co-Founder at Global Work & Travel, some European airports have experienced up to three-hour delays, with many passengers unable to clear passport control in time for their flight.
Travel experts are warning that similar disruption could occur throughout the summer as passenger numbers increase across popular destinations including Spain, Italy, Portugal, France and Greece.
“If you're travelling through an airport affected by EES checks, your priority should be getting through security and passport control as quickly as possible,” Himmelmann said.
These EES terminals are prepared for the European Union Entry/Exit System, designed to register non-EU travelers at the Schengen external border by scanning passports and capturing fingerprints.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a fully digital border control system that replaces passport stamping for travellers entering or leaving the Schengen Area. "One of the biggest issues is unpredictability.”
“With EES, the experience can vary dramatically depending on the airport, staffing levels and how many first-time registrations are being processed,” he added.
Not allowing extra time could be a “costly mistake,” he warned.
“Even arriving three hours before departure is not always proving enough in some cases.”
“[Passengers would] be taking a risk because queues can build incredibly quickly and move far slower than people expect."
What do the airport changes mean?
Under the scheme, traditional passport stamping will be replaced with biometric data collection in nearly 30 Schengen Area countries, including Greece, France, Italy and Spain.
Advertisement
Australians may also be questioned about the purpose of their visit, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade warning queues at European airports and land borders could grow as the EES rolls out.
When visitors return to the Schengen area within three years of creating their digital record, they will only need to provide their fingerprint or photograph when they enter and exit at the border.
A person hands their passport to an airport official. (left) and British and Australian passports (right).
The days of passport stamping in EU countries are over. Source: Getty/Yahoo News Australia
The Schengen area is made up of 29 European countries that allows travellers to move freely between Schengen countries without going through border controls or requiring a visa for each country. You can see a full list of these countries below.
Speaking of the system upon its April rollout, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , which represents hundreds of airlines & certified travel agencies worldwide, expressed concerns about unforeseen issues.
"There is a complete disconnect that EES is working well, and the reality, which is that non-EU travellers are experiencing massive delays and inconvenience," IATA said in a statement.
"We need to be realistic about what will happen during the peak summer months, when traffic at Europe's airports doubles."
What is the EES and how does it work?
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a fully digital border control system that replaces passport stamping for travellers entering or leaving the Schengen Area.
Advertisement
Instead, it records each crossing using biometric data, including a traveller's facial image, fingerprints and passport details.
According to the European Commission, the system is set to be fully operational across all 29 participating European countries from April 10, 2026. Australians have been told to expect queues in European airports as the EES formally comes online.
The scheme applies to most non-EU visitors — including Australians — travelling for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Children under 12 will only require a facial scan, while Irish passport holders and some EU residents are exempt.
Are there fees involved?
There is no fee to use the system and no requirement to register in advance, but travellers must carry a valid passport and be prepared to provide details about their trip, such as accommodation and travel plans.
On arrival and departure, they will need to present their passport, undergo a facial scan and fingerprint collection, and may be asked questions about the purpose of their visit.
Returning travellers can expect a faster process, with only a brief biometric check required.
List of All 29 Schengen/EU countries currently participating in the EES arrival /departure system.
They include:
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Cyprus and Ireland still use manual passport stamping.
