Should You Travel to Paris in the Summer: What the New EU Biometric System Changes
If you're planning to visit Paris this summer, you can go — but allow significantly more time for border crossing than before. The new EU Entry/Exit System is fully operational, and long queues are possible at Paris airports during peak hours.
What is EES and Who Does It Affect
As of April 10, 2026, the Entry/Exit System, or EES, is fully operational at the external borders of the countries that use it. It replaces passport stamps with a digital record of entry and exit. During the initial registration, travelers from outside the EU must provide passport details, fingerprints, and a facial photograph.
For short trips to the Schengen Area, this means an additional procedure specifically at the external border crossing. If you are flying to Paris from a country outside the Schengen Area or passing through passport control during a transfer, you may be registered in the system.
Why Are There Delays
The most time-consuming part is the initial biometric processing: passengers are scanned for the first time, and airport staff and technical systems are still adapting to the new process. Additional queues are created by malfunctions or limited operation of self-service terminals.
In Paris, the potentially most congested place is Charles de Gaulle Airport. During previous peak periods, waiting times in certain terminals reached several hours, while in other areas, queues were shorter. Thus, the same trip can be smooth or turn into exhausting waiting — depending on the arrival time, terminal, and number of flights at the same time.
How to Plan Your Trip Without Extra Stress
Do not schedule transfers back-to-back. If Paris is just a stop on your route, leave a significant buffer time between flights, especially when you need to go through passport control and change airport zones.
For your return flight, also arrive earlier: delays can occur not only upon entry but also before departure when passengers go through exit control from the Schengen Area. Paris airports recommend aiming for about two hours before a short-haul flight and three hours before a long-haul flight.
Keep your passport handy, not deep in your suitcase: you will need it several times during check-in. If you are traveling with family, keep in mind that each passenger must go through the biometric procedure, so the total time may noticeably increase.
So Should You Go or Postpone?
Paris is not becoming inaccessible to tourists: delays primarily concern border procedures, not the vacation itself in the city. If you have a flexible schedule, no short transfers, and are ready to arrive at the airport with a buffer, the trip is entirely feasible.
However, for routes with multiple connections, a tight schedule, and tickets without easy replacement options, the risk is higher. In such cases, it’s better not to skimp on time between flights — a few extra hours can save the entire travel plan.
Are you ready to sacrifice a little time at the airport for Parisian strolls this summer?
