The EU's new entry/exit system (EES) could be suspended at a popular European tourist destination after reports of marathon waits of more than six hours in airports.
The EES, which launched last month, requires non-EU nationals travelling in Europe to provide personal data, and have their fingerprints scanned and a photograph taken.
It has already received significant backlash since its introduction, with it causing long waits for passengers at airports.
Major airlines, including Jet2 and Ryanair, have called for the rollout of the new system to be suspended until after the summer to allow for a "smoother airport experience" during peak travel season.
CEO of Ryanair’s Malta subsidiary, Malta Air, David O’Brien, has also threatened to pull all flights to Malta due to the extended wait times caused by the EES at airports.
Travellers warned of 6-hour wait at holiday hotspot
Brits have been warned of six-hour waits at airports in Portugal caused by the new EES.
It has led to severe delays at Portuguese airports, particularly in Lisbon and Faro.
A Portugal travel advisor, known as @travel_luckk on Instagram, said: "Last week a family I advised landed in Lisbon and stood in line for 6 hours and 40 minutes.
"Their toddler slept on a suitcase. They missed their transfer to the Algarve.
"This wasn’t bad luck. This is Portugal in 2026—and almost no one is talking about it yet."
She warned that travel through Lisbon can be especially difficult, particularly on Monday mornings between 6am and 11am.
While Faro International Airport is one to "avoid" from May to September.
The travel expert explained: "Faro was built for 4M passengers. It now processes 9M+ in summer.
"Add EES on top, and arrivals from the UK and Germany regularly stall for 5+ hours."
Porto is currently a quieter and more efficient alternative, according to @travel_luckk, for entry into northern and central Portugal.
The Portugal travel advisor said: "OPO is 40% faster through EES than Lisbon right now.
"Smaller terminal, calmer staff, fewer transatlantic dumps."
She also advised families with children under 12 to request access to the assisted lane, which could reduce wait times to around 30 minutes.
In addition to border delays, rolling luggage handling strikes are compounding the travel disruption.
Portuguese Government "unhappy" with EES and could suspend new system
Following news of these lengthy queues, Ryanair's chief operations officer, Neal McMahon, called on the Portuguese Government and its European counterparts to pause the rollout of the EES until September.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has since said he is "unhappy" with the EES and could suspend the system if delays continued.
Mr Montenegro, in the Portugal Resident, said: "I won’t deny that we are unhappy with the response from border control services at the airports, especially in Lisbon."
He continued: "If we have to take stronger action – more severe measures – we will do so.
"We do not want to put the country’s security at risk, but we also do not want to damage the country’s economic activity."
“We have European obligations and we are fulfilling them, but obviously we cannot be penalised."
European Commission denies EES is the cause of airport queues
Meanwhile, the European Commission has denied that the EES is the cause of long queues at Portuguese airports.
In a statement, published by The Resident, the commission said the EES process takes "just over one minute on average" and was not the cause of delays in airports across Europe.
“Several issues can cause delays (...) unrelated to EES”
(apoiado pelos #FundosEuropeus, no âmbito do Programa Regional #ALGARVE2030)https://t.co/2H2a2JdypQ— Portugal Resident (@PT_Resident) May 22, 2026
The European Commission explained: "We are aware of the media reports and are in contact with Portugal, as with all member states, regarding the EES implementation.
"Several causes can create delays, which are often unrelated to the operation of the EES."
It continued: "The Commission will remain in contact with Portugal on this matter and will continue providing the necessary support.
"Challenges faced in Portugal, including longer wait times, are not related to any operational problems with the Entry/Exit System."
Greece backtracks on EES suspension
Elsewhere, Greece has backtracked on the EES suspension it announced back in April.
British travellers will now likely need to complete biometric checks upon entering Greece this summer, despite previously being told they would be exempt from this.
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Earlier in May, the country's tourism minister, Olga Kefalogianni, said the Greek government did not want visitors to be "burdened" by bureaucratic procedures when entering or leaving the country.
However, European and Greek authorities have now clarified that suspension of the system is permitted only during periods of high passenger traffic at specific entry points and does not apply to any country or nationality.
Have you used the new EU's new entry/exit system yet? Let us know about your experience in the poll above or in the comments below.
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