American vacationers arriving in Europe this week have been met with hours-long waits at border management, because the European Union begins implementing its new Entry-Exit System (EES) — a serious shift in how guests from exterior the bloc are processed at airports.
The system, launched on Sunday, replaces the acquainted passport stamp with a digital registration that information vacationers’ fingerprints, facial picture, and entry and exit particulars. The change impacts all non-EU nationals, together with U.S., British, Canadian, and Australian passport holders getting into or leaving 29 European international locations, most of that are within the Schengen Space.
Whereas the system is meant to reinforce safety and velocity up future crossings, the preliminary rollout has been something however clean. At Brussels Airport, lengthy strains and confusion have dominated the week.
One American passenger, Rebecca Wells, who flew from Chicago to Brussels on Monday morning, described a chaotic arrival expertise.
Regardless of the brand new expertise, Wells mentioned her examine nonetheless felt old style: “The officer stamped my passport like regular. He didn’t take fingerprints or ask any questions.”
European officers say the disruptions are short-term and that the method will turn out to be sooner as soon as vacationers have been registered within the new biometric database. Nonetheless, airports are urging guests — particularly these arriving from exterior the EU — to enable further time for border management.
Which Airports Are Reporting Delays?
Studies from vacationers and airport authorities counsel that the influence of the EES rollout varies broadly throughout Europe. Some airports are struggling to adapt, whereas others are introducing the system step by step.
Paris, France (CDG): Working a hybrid system, the place some passengers use the brand new kiosks and others undergo conventional cubicles. The consequence: unpredictable strains and a few confusion.
Brussels, Belgium (BRU): At the moment the worst affected, with immigration queues stretching as much as three hours. Airport officers have acknowledged “challenges” in integrating the brand new system.
Rome, Italy (FCO): A slower however regular rollout has resulted in inconsistent processing occasions. Delays of 30–60 minutes are being reported, relying on the time of day.
Spain (MAD & BCN): Madrid and Barcelona are taking a phased strategy, which means most vacationers expertise minimal disruption for now — although new biometric kiosks are seen all through each airports.
Prague, Czech Republic (PRG): Technical glitches with biometric kiosks have compelled handbook checks for all non-EU passengers, creating 90-minute waits and prompting officers to advise vacationers to reach three hours earlier than departure.
For Individuals planning European journey this fall, the message is obvious: anticipate longer strains and convey endurance. The EES represents a long-term shift towards automated border administration — however in these early days, the high-tech future nonetheless comes with a really human wait.
–
Sources: The Brussels Occasions, European Fee, Brussels Airport, Prague Airport, and traveler studies from verified journey boards.
