From Portugal to Italy, France and Spain: Reddit users react to delays due to the new Entry/Exit System
The new Entry/Exit System, known as EES, is causing hours of delays for passengers in many countries in the Schengen Area.
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) which is a new digital border system that has changed requirements for British citizens travelling to the Schengen area, started on October 12, 2025. Although the EES System started in October of last year, it was not implemented until April 2026.
Passengers who are travelling to countries in the Schengen Area for a short stay need to be now made aware that they may be required to register their biometric details such as fingerprints and a photo when they arrive. Countries in the Schengen Area include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
If you are travelling to the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus, the EES is not applicable in these countries.
How long have the delays been in countries such as Italy and France?
Two days ago, NationalWord reported on how more than 100 easyJet passengers were left stranded in Milan after a flight to Manchester took off without them. According to reports, due to the chaos of the new EU entry-exity system, they were left queuing for up to three hours at Milan’s Linate airport and some were left ‘vomiting and passing out.’
When it comes to delays in Spain, one Reddit user wrote: “We arrived in Madrid three days ago from the United States, and the EES system was a nightmare. Over an hour to get through. Half of the machines were down. “
There have recently been significant delays in Lisbon, Portugal and one Reddit user wrote: “Line was hours long stretching through the whole very long terminal and then outside. I sent the kids to get food and my friend went to the bathroom. Suddenly the line started moving quickly. The boys and friend almost missed getting back in line. Security has stopped using the new system and were stamping passports as fast as they could.
A Reddit user also commented on arriving in Paris, France and said: “We hired someone to get us through CDG this morning. Not sure how we would have done it without him. The airport was slammed, lines were terribly long, and airport security had increased. Be prepared.”