EU Ends Border Entry Rule Waivers, Affecting Non-Schengen Travelers

Starting Monday, September 7, 2026, temporary waivers for the Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks will end at Europe's external borders. Previously, border services could suspend fingerprinting and facial scans during peak times, but now these full checks are mandatory for all non-EU and non-Schengen area citizens. The EES, which replaced traditional passport stamps with electronic entry and exit logging, has been fully operational since April 2026. The mandatory procedure involves scanning faces and collecting biometric data upon the first border crossing. This could lead to delays at international airports, especially with high passenger volumes. The aviation industry has previously reported technical issues and staffing shortages at major airports in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and France. Travelers with Israeli passports heading to EU countries are advised to arrive at terminals earlier and allow extra time for border control, particularly if they have connecting flights.