Italy braces for slower border queues as EU biometric checks tighten

A rule allowing border guards to pause new EU biometric passport checks at busy times expired over the weekend, raising concerns about longer queues at Italy's airports, according to The Local Italy. The Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to register non-EU travellers digitally, has been rolled out gradually, but the end of the waiver means checks will now be enforced more strictly.

The Local Italy reported that the change could affect travellers passing through Italian airports, though it did not specify impacts on any particular city or airport.

The Local Italy reported that the waiver, which had allowed border authorities to suspend the new biometric checks during periods of heavy traffic, expired on Sunday. The system is intended to strengthen security by registering the entry and exit of non-EU nationals, but critics have warned that it could lead to congestion at border posts, particularly at airports and land crossings.

Italian airports have been preparing for the fuller enforcement of the EES for months, but questions remain about whether they have sufficient staff and infrastructure to process travellers efficiently. The Local Italy noted that the change comes at a time when airports across Europe are already bracing for the autumn travel season, with concerns that queues could become noticeably longer.

The broader question is how the EES will interact with the Schengen area's existing pressures. Germany, as reported by The Guardian, is urging the EU to cut Russian citizens' holiday visas after suspected sabotage attacks, a move that would add another layer of complexity to border management. For Italian airports, the challenge is to balance security requirements with the smooth movement of legitimate travellers.

The coming weeks will test whether the system can operate without causing significant disruption to the millions who pass through Italy's airports each year.