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France, Italy and Greece to shelve EES checks for the rest of the year
Confirmed
In Short: Nine European countries, including France, Italy, and Greece, will delay full implementation of the new border checks until January to address ongoing issues.
The European Union has granted at least nine countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland, permission to delay the full roll-out of the Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks until January.
Airlines and airports have criticized the EU's handling of the new border checks, citing software difficulties and long queues at borders. Ryanair has called on the European Commission to extend the EES derogation until at least April 2027, urging more time for airports and border authorities to increase staffing levels and ensure the system operates efficiently.
When asked about the nine countries yet to fully introduce the checks, a spokesperson for the European Commission told The i Paper it was in “close and constructive contact” with those member states where some adjustments are still needed at certain border crossing points.
Despite several countries requesting an extension, these permissions, which included suspending biometric checks during busy periods, will expire for the 29 countries using EES on Sunday. Experts have warned that addressing the problems surrounding EU borders is becoming increasingly urgent.
All non-EU nationals, including British citizens, have been required to undergo the checks since April. Countries were allowed to waive the checks if queues started to build up, but now face the challenge of fully implementing the system by January.
What's confirmed
- The European Union has granted at least nine countries, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy, and Switzerland, permission to delay the full roll-out of the Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks until January.
- Airlines and airports have criticized the EU's handling of the new border checks, citing software difficulties and long queues at borders. Ryanair has called on the European Commission to extend the EES derogation until at least April 2027, urging more time for airports and border authorities to increase staffing levels and ensure the system operates efficiently.
- When asked about the nine countries yet to fully introduce the checks, a spokesperson for the European Commission told The i Paper it was in “close and constructive contact” with those member states where some adjustments are still needed at certain border crossing points.
- Despite several countries requesting an extension, these permissions, which included suspending biometric checks during busy periods, will expire for the 29 countries using EES on Sunday. Experts have warned that addressing the problems surrounding EU borders is becoming increasingly urgent.
- All non-EU nationals, including British citizens, have been required to undergo the checks since April. Countries were allowed to waive the checks if queues started to build up, but now face the challenge of fully implementing the system by January.
What's still developing
- Countries were subsequently granted a 150-day grace period where they could drop the checks over the summer in order to avoid travel chaos.
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