As Europe prepares for another busy summer travel season, a controversial new border control system is beginning to show signs of strain — and some of the continent’s most popular destinations are quietly stepping back.
Greece has already made a significant move, suspending the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) for British tourists until September after long queues and delays disrupted arrivals. Now, industry experts suggest that Portugal and Italy may soon follow, raising questions about whether the system can withstand the pressures of peak tourism.
A System Under Pressure
The EES, which became fully operational across the Schengen Area last month, requires non-EU visitors to register biometric data — including facial scans and fingerprints — at airports and border crossings. Designed to modernize border management, the system has instead led to bottlenecks, with some travelers reportedly waiting hours to clear passport control.
Portugal has already begun informally easing the rules when queues become excessive, allowing travelers to pass with traditional passport stamps. Italy is widely expected to adopt a similar approach in the coming weeks, particularly ahead of the crucial early summer holiday period.
British media reports have suggested that other major destinations — including Spain, France and Croatia — could eventually face similar decisions if delays persist.
Tourism Versus Regulation
For countries heavily dependent on tourism, the stakes are high. British visitors alone contribute billions of euros annually to southern European economies. According to Seamus McCauley of the travel company Holiday Extras, governments may have little choice but to prioritize economic stability over strict adherence to EU regulations.
“Countries are unlikely to sit back and allow their tourism industries to suffer,” he said, describing the rollout of the system as deeply problematic. “If one destination avoids delays, travelers will simply choose to go there instead.”
The concern is not just economic, but political. Long queues at airports risk damaging reputations at a time when competition for tourists is intense.
Limited Leverage from Brussels
Travel analysts believe the European Union may struggle to enforce compliance. Any financial penalties imposed on countries that suspend the system would likely be outweighed by the economic benefits of smoother tourism flows. Legal action through European courts, meanwhile, would take months — well beyond the peak summer season.
Airlines have also joined the criticism. Ryanair has called on several countries, including France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, to suspend the system until at least September. The airline’s chief operating officer, Neil McMahon, described the rollout as premature, arguing that passengers are being forced to endure unnecessary delays during the busiest travel period of the year.
What It Means for Croatia
While Croatia has not yet altered its approach, the situation is being closely watched across the region. As a key Mediterranean destination with a growing number of long-haul and non-EU visitors, any disruption at borders could have significant implications for the country’s tourism sector.
For now, travelers are being advised to prepare in advance, including using the EES mobile application to pre-register biometric data where possible. But with several countries already bending the rules, the coming months may determine whether the system is refined — or quietly set aside during the height of summer.
What is clear is that Europe’s effort to modernize its borders is colliding with a far older priority: keeping the flow of visitors moving smoothly.
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