EU postpones full biometric rollout

NoodleDoodleMan

https://www.visahq.com/news/2026-02-02/gb/eu-postpones-full-biometric-border-rollout-to-september-2026-easing-immediate-pressure-on-uk-summer-travellers/

Hardly surprising considering the negative reports about queues etc. at different locations.

eskbanker

Yes, that article is from three weeks ago and the relaxation of the full implementation schedule has been mentioned on other threads (including yours) earlier this month, although there still doesn't seem to be any official confirmation directly from the EU:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81875653#Comment_81875653

TELLIT01

It is an option available to EU countries, but it would seem that not all are suspending use of the EES system. I've seen reports in the past couple of days about long delays at Prague & Krakow airports and at Tenerife and Lanzarote airports. These delays on entry have been 3 hours or more.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81898288#Comment_81898288

I don't recall mentioning this previously.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81898763#Comment_81898763

I didn't say you'd mentioned it, but the post I quoted was me mentioning it on a previous thread of yours, on which you posted afterwards.

twopenny

Thanks for mentioning that Mr Noodle and Banker. But bringing it to headline has been useful for me as I haven't been able to travel for some time and may be able to in a few months.

Everything has changed and I'm completely out of touch so it's helpful 😊

NoodleDoodleMan

I have a vested interest in EES and EITAS developments - on the cusp of securing an Irish passport which will help us bodyswerve the nightmare queues at Malaga airport, both entering and departing.

Well, that's the plan anyway, however the best laid schemes o'mice and men etc………………….

phatbear

we flew into Copenhagen on Sunday and we got through immigration quicker than the EU passport holders, mainly because the flight was 90%+ blonde (danes/swedes) and, what seemed to be, very few brits, so our queue was very short

TheShape

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899133#Comment_81899133

Did you or anyone else have to register for EES when you were there?

I flew to Copenhagen just under 4 weeks ago and there was no sign of any kiosks to register for EES. Just the usual queue for entry and passport stamping.

TELLIT01

I don't know whether it's correct or not, but on another forum said that EES has to be completed every time you arrive!

NoodleDoodleMan

That'll only make matters worse, in spades - is the source reliable ?