From September 6, 2026, the current provisions for suspending checks under the Entry/Exit System are set to end: airports and other entry points must register all passengers who fall under the rules and collect or verify their biometric data upon entry and exit.
At the same time, the material states that a certain relaxation of the full launch of the system is expected: border crossings may continue to temporarily halt the collection or verification of biometrics if queues become too long. Under current rules, such a pause was allowed for up to six hours at a time, but without a complete abandonment of digital registration of entry and exit.
This issue concerns all Schengen entry points in Europe and is particularly important for passengers at major airports, where delays at passport control are possible. European air hubs have previously requested an extension of the flexible regime due to the risk of overload during peak season.
For travelers, the practical conclusion is this: biometric checks may remain at the border, but a specific crossing can still temporarily suspend them if queues become excessive. After September 6, uncertainty regarding how widely this flexibility will be allowed to be used remains a key factor for planning connections and arrival times at the airport.