- Nine EU member states have been permitted to delay full EES enforcement
- The EES requires non-EU nationals to log facial scans and fingerprints
- The formal 150-day grace period expired on 6 September 2026
- IATA and airlines warned of missed connections and terminal congestion
- The European Commission has adopted a flexible approach without a fixed new deadline
Nine European nations including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland have been informally permitted by Brussels to delay the full mandatory enforcement of the EU’s Entry-Exit System at busy airports to prevent massive border queues. Following months of travel disruption and technical software challenges, these countries sought extra flexibility after a formal 150-day grace period expired.
The EES digital border framework requires non-EU nationals to log facial scans and fingerprints upon crossing the external borders of the Schengen Area, replacing traditional manual passport stamping. International groups including IATA and budget airlines warned that rigid enforcement during peak traffic caused missed flight connections and severe terminal congestion.
While strict adherence technically became compulsory after initial safety valves lapsed, the European Commission opted for an unprosecuted flexible approach to let these nine countries adapt infrastructure without a fixed new deadline. The grace period expired on 6 September 2026.
