Nine Schengen countries have postponed biometric checks at the border

Nine Schengen Area countries have partially postponed the implementation of biometric checks under the Entry/Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals. They have asked the European Commission to provide additional time for the full launch of the system at certain border crossing points.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to The Guardian, the countries in question are France, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, Spain is already using EES in full.

The delay does not apply to the entire territory of these countries. Biometric data is already being collected at Frankfurt and Schiphol airports, as well as at the Eurostar terminal in Brussels and at the Port of Antwerp. According to the publication, problems persist at approximately 12 airports.

EES was gradually launched in the Schengen Area in October 2025. The system replaces traditional passport stamps with electronic registration: upon first entry, third-country nationals undergo scanning of their passport, face, and fingerprints.

Despite the formal violation of EU rules, Brussels does not currently plan to penalize countries that have not fully implemented the system.