EU Allows Temporary Suspension of Biometrics Collection at Borders Due to Summer Queues
In short. Due to long queues at the borders, the EU has allowed the temporary suspension of biometric data collection for the EES system until early September 2026.
- The European Commission allowed temporarily skipping biometrics collection (photos and fingerprints) for the EES during long queues.
- Flexible rules will be in effect until early September 2026.
- Border checks themselves are not canceled — only the biometrics registration stage is suspended.
- Ukrainians with temporary protection or a residence permit are completely exempt from EES requirements.
As of July 6, 2026, the European Commission officially confirmed that national border agencies of EU countries can temporarily suspend the collection of biometric data for the new Entry/Exit System (EES). This decision was made to combat multi-hour queues at airports and land border crossing points during the peak summer season.
What has changed
The EES system, which became fully operational in the spring of 2026, requires citizens of non-EU countries to provide fingerprints and facial photos upon their first entry into the Schengen Area. Because of this, waiting times at passport control in many airports have increased to 5 hours, leading to flight delays.
European Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert explained that the system has "built-in flexibility." If there is exceptionally high pressure at a border crossing point, border guards can skip the biometrics registration stage ad hoc (depending on the situation). This option will be available until early September 2026.
| EES Procedure | Standard requirements | During peak queues (Summer 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Passport check | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Fingerprint collection | Mandatory upon first entry | May be temporarily waived |
| Facial photo | Mandatory upon first entry | May be temporarily waived |
Who is affected
The innovation applies to third-country nationals entering the Schengen Area for short-term stays (up to 90 days within a 180-day period). For Ukrainians, this means:
- Tourists and business travelers: are subject to EES rules. If you are traveling visa-free, border guards may not take your fingerprints in the event of long queues.
- Holders of temporary protection and residence permits: are completely exempt from registration in the EES system. Their data is not entered into this system, regardless of the presence of queues.
What to do now
- Arrive early: The aviation industry advises allocating an additional 1.5–2 hours for border crossing at European airports in July and August.
- Prepare your documents: Have your biometric passport, return ticket, proof of accommodation, and financial means ready (if traveling visa-free).
- Keep your permit ready: If you have temporary protection status, immediately show your plastic resident card (or equivalent document) to avoid unnecessary questions regarding the EES.
Common mistakes
Many travelers mistakenly believe that the EU has completely canceled the EES system for the summer. This is not true. Airlines did ask for a full suspension, but the European Commission refused. Only the additional biometrics registration is waived, and only when border guards see a critical queue. The document check in the databases itself remains mandatory.
Rules change frequently — before taking action, always check the current requirements on the official government source provided above.
Official sources
Questions
- Has the EES system been completely canceled?
- No, the system continues to operate. Border guards have only been granted permission to temporarily skip the fingerprinting and photographing stage if critical queues arise at the border.
- Do Ukrainians with temporary protection need to submit biometrics?
- No. Holders of residence permits, long-stay visas, and temporary protection status are completely exempt from registration in the EES system.
- How long will these relaxations be in effect?
- According to current EU rules, the flexibility to suspend biometric data collection is available to national authorities until early September 2026.