Switzerland joins 8 European countries in delaying EES border checks

Following a summer of long wait times and disruption at several European airports, Switzerland has reportedly joined eight other countries in delaying the full introduction of the European Entry/Exit System (EES).

Why Switzerland & 8 EU nations are delaying EES implementation

Switzerland, along with Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands and Portugal, has reportedly been allowed to postpone EES implementation to “maintain border fluidity”, according to British newspaper The Sunday Times.

The European Commission previously allowed a temporary 150-day pause on EES border checks for European countries struggling with increased passenger numbers over the summer holiday period. 

In August alone, one of the busiest months to travel in the year, Zürich Airport recorded a total of over 3,3 million passengers, an increase of 1,8 percent compared to the same time last year.

Although the pause was set to run out on September 6, the nine European countries are thought to have refused to enforce the change “until the technology and systems were working correctly”, adds the Independent. 

A European Commission spokesperson recently commented in a press briefing that they “are in close and constructive contact with the few member states where adjustments are still needed at certain border crossings.” Overall, however, EES so far has “generally worked well”, and the “benefits of the new system for the EU are obvious”, according to Euronews.

EU airport wait times double

The EES rollout began in October 2025 and has largely been functioning at all European borders since April 10, 2026. 

However, budget airline Ryanair’s chief operating officer Neal McMahon recently criticised the rollout of the new checks, commenting that “The EU’s handling of EES has been a shambles from start to finish.” 

Ultimately, passengers are suffering as airports and airlines struggle with longer processing times and queues. “Passengers should not be made to pay the price for the EU’s failed EES rollout,” added McMahon.

Checking travellers' passports at border security used to take around 20 to 25 seconds, whereas it can now take up to 90 seconds per passenger, doubling wait times at some major European hubs.

In Frankfurt, Germany, border wait times have increased from 60 minutes in 2025 to 120 minutes in July 2026, while at Munich Airport wait times doubled from 31 to 60 minutes and in Amsterdam from 80 to 120 minutes.