Europe Has a New Checkpoint After Passport Control - Here's How to Get Through It Without Missing Your Flight
You may have planned the perfect international escape to Europe, the search for flights long over, the packing done, and the itinerary set, but you're going to have to lock in for just one more thing once you land.
Meet EES, the EU's new entry/exit system, also known as your trip's final challenge before officially being out of office.
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What is the EES?
The brand-new biometric border checkpoint system was fully launched on April 10, requiring fingerprint and facial recognition scans to move about the 29 participating countries in the Schengen Area. Additionally, it requires entry and exit dates for travelers from outside of Europe, including Brits.
Since its rollout, EES operations have been chaotic, being "marked by passenger disruptions, delays, and missed flights," with several reports of stranded passengers, according to EuroNews. Much to travelers' dismay, there have been reports of having to repeat the process even after doing it upon arrival.
According to live queue data on WeGo, the most impacted hubs of popular travel have been Paris CDG and Geneva, with both reaching up to four-hour waits. Meanwhile, three-hour delays have hit destinations such as Vienna, Brussels, Madrid, Barcelona, and Palma.
What to do to survive Europe's EES mess
For now, airports are still adjusting to the new system and adapting to evolving workflows as the summer season approaches. ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe, and IATA have released a joint letter citing "critical issues" concerning the ongoing delays needing to be resolved as the summer season approaches. It makes sense that big players in the aviation industry have given pushback.
So if you're a non-EU traveler, this goes for Americans, Brits, Canadians, or Australians, for example, and you're booked to visit bucket list places, chances are you're going to hit a snag due to the new system. Travelers arriving from Britain via Dover have been given a reprieve due to excessive heat at the Channel crossing, as reported by The Guardian; EES checks at the border have been temporarily suspended.
"Travelers need to build these projected delays into their itineraries," says Antoinette Leon, SVP & COO of passport and visa services, ItsEasy.com, in a statement. "Expect extra time at passport control and follow the biometric registration process closely - don't get distracted."
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It'sEasy.com suggests keeping the following in mind when visiting top tourist destinations such as Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, and Italy, which have gotten bottleneck lines thanks to EES:
- Arrive earlier than originally planned at the airports with EES implementation
- Make sure to have your passport in hand before your turn at the checkpoint
- Follow all the airport biometric instructions carefully to avoid having to repeat the procedures.
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This story was originally published June 12, 2026 at 1:39 PM.