The European Commission has asked that any remaining issues with the Entry and Exit System (EES) be resolved by the end of this year. The EES is a new digital system designed to replace the old method of stamping passports manually. At least nine countries, including France, Germany, and the Netherlands, have been given permission to delay the full implementation of the system until the necessary technology for facial and fingerprint recognition is fully ready. The EES was introduced in October 2025 to electronically track the entry and exit of non-EU citizens. Under the system, travelers must register their fingerprints and photos when entering the Schengen Area, a region of 26 European countries that allow free movement between them. However, the rollout has caused delays at border checkpoints, with some passengers missing flights due to long queues. During the summer, countries were allowed to temporarily pause the use of the EES in special cases to speed up processing. This temporary measure ended on September 6, and airline Ryanair criticized the system, calling it a "shambles." Ryanair’s Chief Operating Officer, Neal McMahon, asked for an extension of the system’s delay until April 2027, citing concerns from airlines, airports, and border authorities about the system causing longer processing times and crowded lines. The European Commission is working closely with member states to solve these issues. They are focusing on improving the technology, organization, and communication around the system to ensure it runs smoothly by the end of the year. The EES requires most non-EU travelers to register their passport information and biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, upon their first visit to the EU. This information will be used for future trips, allowing for quicker verification. Border officials may also ask additional questions about travel plans, accommodation, and financial resources. Children under 12 are not required to give fingerprints but will have their faces scanned. EES checks are usually conducted at the destination airport or port when arriving in the EU, except at the Port of Dover, St Pancras International, and Folkestone, which are shared border points between the UK and France. EU passport holders, including Irish and Cypriot citizens, British travelers with EU residency permits or long-stay visas, and citizens of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican, are not required to go through EES checks.