EES Border Checks in Portugal and Italy: How to Beat the 2026 Travel Delays

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For many travelers, the dream of a summer holiday along the sun-drenched coastlines of Portugal or the historic streets of Italy is a highlight of the year. However, the 2026 travel season comes with a significant change at the border that every vacationer needs to know about: the full implementation of the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES).

Since becoming fully operational on April 10, 2026, the system has replaced traditional passport stamping with a new digital biometric process. While the goal is to enhance border security and reduce illegal immigration, the rollout has caused significant friction, with major delays reported across key European hubs. For anyone planning a trip to the Schengen area this year, understanding these changes is essential to avoiding missed connections and unexpected stress.

The EES Transformation: What Is Changing?

For non-EU nationals, such as travelers from the UK, traveling to the Schengen area is no longer as simple as handing over your passport for a quick stamp. The EES requires all third-country nationals to create a digital profile upon their first entry through an external border.

The process involves:

• Registering personal data from your travel document.
• Capturing a facial image through a photo scan.
• Scanning fingerprints at automated kiosks or manned booths.

While this digital transition aims to speed up future border crossings and track the 90/180-day rule more accurately, the initial registration process is proving to be a bottleneck. Instead of a quick glance from a border officer, each passenger now spends extra time at the kiosk, creating long, slow-moving queues.

The Impact on Portugal and Italy

Airports in Portugal and Italy, which serve as primary gateways for international tourists, have experienced some of the most significant disruptions since the rollout.

In Portugal, airports in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro have seen waiting times at border control climb to between two and three hours during peak periods. The sheer volume of arrivals, combined with the time it takes to process biometrics, overwhelmed terminals in the opening weeks of the system. To prevent backlogs for departing passengers, authorities in Portugal even had to temporarily pause biometric collection at certain departure gates, though arrival checks remain mandatory.

Similarly, in Italy, airports like Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino are dealing with processing delays. The situation is particularly complex for travelers who are also residents of these countries. Confusion between visitor status and residency permits has added to the administrative burden, with non-EU residents sometimes being mistakenly registered into the EES system. This double-checking process takes precious minutes away from each traveler, resulting in delayed flights and frustrated passengers trying to make their way to their destinations.

Why Are the Delays Happening?

The challenges at the border are driven by a combination of staffing shortages, technical glitches, and the sheer volume of travelers.

1. Technology Bottlenecks: The self-service kiosks can be temperamental. If a traveler takes extra time to position themselves for a photo or if a fingerprint fails to scan, the delay quickly multiplies across hundreds of passengers.
2. Understaffing: Border control agencies are struggling to provide enough staff to assist passengers who need help navigating the kiosks.
3. Low Adoption of Pre-Registration: While the EU has introduced a “Travel to Europe” app for pre-registering biometrics, it is not yet widely adopted or fully integrated at every regional airport.

Practical Tips for Travelers in 2026

Do not let the fear of long queues keep you from exploring Europe. With a little preparation, you can minimize your waiting time and keep your trip on track:

• Arrive Much Earlier: While arriving two hours before a flight used to be the standard, industry experts now advise non-EU travelers to arrive at least three to four hours before departure for international flights.
• Keep Documents Handy: Have your passport open to the photo page. Remove glasses and ensure your face is uncovered well before you reach the front of the line to save those crucial extra seconds.
• Use the App Where Available: If your destination or entry point supports it, look into the Frontex-built pre-registration app to submit your details up to 72 hours in advance.
• Check Live Status Updates: Before leaving for the airport, check the airport’s official website or social media channels for real-time wait times.

The Road Ahead: Industry Responses

Major travel organizations, including the Airports Council International (ACI Europe) and Airlines for Europe (A4E), have raised concerns with the European Commission. They are urging member states to use their emergency flexibility to partially suspend EES processes during the peak summer months if the queues become unmanageable.

While the system is designed to secure the borders, European officials have emphasized that smoothing out the passenger experience remains a top priority. Until the technology and staffing levels stabilize, member states are actively adjusting their protocols to keep people moving.

Conclusion

The rollout of the EES system marks a major step in the modernization of European border security, but the transition has not been without its growing pains. Passengers flying to Portugal and Italy should prepare for longer processing times at the airport. By planning ahead, arriving early, and staying informed, you can ensure that the new border rules do not put a damper on your European getaway.