Belgium has postponed the registration of biometric data – including fingerprints and facial scans – for non-EU nationals under the European Entry/Exit System (EES). The decision was taken by Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt (CD&V) after test phases resulted in long queues at airports.
The EES is a new n-wide digital border management system designed to register non-EU travellers each time they cross the external borders of the Schengen Area.
It replaces traditional passport stamping with an automated system that records personal and biometric data – such as fingerprints and facial images – along with the time and place of entry and exit. The system applies to short stays of up to 90 days and aims to modernise border controls, improve security, and detect overstayers more effectively.
The system has been gradually rolled out across Europe since October last year, with full implementation originally planned for spring 2026.
The European Union is introducing the EES in phases, allowing for adjustments in case of technical issues. Member states may temporarily suspend its use in exceptional circumstances, such as excessive waiting times at border crossings.
Belgium had initially planned to roll out EES checks at selected times, with full implementation – including at Brussels Airport – scheduled by 10 April 2026. That timeline has now been put on hold. Other countries, including the Netherlands and France, have already taken similar steps.
According to Ministers Quintin and Van Bossuyt, the phased rollout has led to a noticeable increase in waiting times at border control points. While authorities and stakeholders have spent months preparing to ensure secure and efficient procedures, they concluded that the necessary technological and infrastructural conditions are not yet sufficient to support smooth, passenger-friendly biometric checks.
Quintin described the queues observed during testing as “unacceptable”, both for travellers and for Belgium’s international image. He stressed, however, that postponing the system does not weaken current border controls. “Every passenger entering our territory will continue to be subject to strict checks to guarantee security”, he said.
Authorities will now continue discussions with the European Commission to agree on a revised and realistic timeline for full implementation.
Van Bossuyt underlined that strong external borders remain essential for an effective migration policy and for public safety, particularly at airports. At the same time, she noted that the European system must be able to operate smoothly in practice – something that, for now, requires more time.
