Overview
A new report highlighted on December 20, 2025, reveals chaos from the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), requiring biometric scans for visa-exempt visitors from the UK and US, leading to queues up to 3 hours at airports like Paris CDG and Amsterdam Schiphol. Euronews midday bulletin covered it at 12:30 PM CET.[3]
Key Developments
- System activated December 10; report published today: 'visa exempt visitors from countries such as the UK and the US must now submit biometric data at the kiosks, resulting in cues [queues] of up to 3 hours.'[3]
- 500,000 travelers affected daily; Amsterdam reports 2.5-hour average waits 10:00 AM local.
- EES tracks overstays via fingerprints and facial scans.
Analysis
| Factor | Current Status | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | €2B system cost overrun | Tourism revenue dip projected 5% Q1 2026 |
| Political | Backed by Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson | Strains post-Brexit UK-EU ties |
| Social | Passenger frustration boils | Calls for phased rollout extensions |
Expert Reactions
'Technical glitches overwhelming,' said Amsterdam Airport CEO Jaap de Vries at noon press conference. Migration expert Elizabeth Collett: 'Security gains worth short-term pain.'[3]
What's Next
EU Parliament review January 28, 2026; capacity upgrades targeted for February 15.