EU authorizes temporary pause on biometric border checks to ease EES congestion

The EU allows member states to skip fingerprinting during peak travel hours to prevent airport gridlock

The European Union confirmed that member states may for now bypass the mandatory capture of fingerprints and facial images when traffic levels at borders become unmanageable. This decision, finalized on May 4, 2026, serves as a relief valve for major transit hubs like Brussels Airport, which have faced operational strain since the EES became fully operational.

Under this "flex mode," border authorities can revert to manual passport stamping during peak hours. This ensures that travelers do not miss connecting flights due to the time-intensive process of registering biometric data for the first time. However, the measure is temporary and will be reviewed weekly by authorities in Brussels.

The European Commission confirmed that the central EES database remains active and continues to log crossings. Airlines must still provide Advance Passenger Information (API) to authorities, even if physical biometric capture is skipped for specific waves of passengers.

EES troubles: Preventing unacceptable queues and missed onward connections

The move follows a period of significant travel disruption. Recent reports highlighted how the EU EES caused three-hour airport delays in several member states shortly after its launch. To combat these bottlenecks, some nations have already begun adapting their procedures; for instance, Portugal relaxes EU border checks to manage similar queueing issues.

In Belgium, the federal police and airport authorities had previously warned that the infrastructure required for seamless biometric registration was not yet fully optimized for peak summer volumes. The Belgian government has welcomed the flexibility, as it allows border guards to prioritize security and flow over total biometric enrollment during the busiest periods of the day.

The European Union stated that the decision is designed to prevent unacceptable queues and missed onward connections while the system stabilizes.

The EU stays committed to it's digital border transformation

While this pause offers immediate breathing room, it does not signal a permanent change in policy. The EU remains committed to its digital transformation of border security.

Travelers should note that even with these temporary measures, the ETIAS launches in late 2026, which will require a separate travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors.