EU border system threatens summer traffic collapse

Holidaymakers heading to Southeast Europe this summer could face significant traffic jams and prolonged border checks, mirroring the difficulties already experienced by travelers at EU external borders. The situation is expected to worsen as the peak travel season approaches.

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Once every three years to take fingerprints and have a biometric photo taken – that seemed okay.

Concerns are mounting over the EU's new digital Entry/Exit System (EES), which is gradually being implemented. While initially designed to streamline border crossings by collecting biometric data like fingerprints and photos, its real-world application has reportedly led to constant, frequent data capture. Aleksandar Ljubic, director of the Foreign Investors Council in Belgrade, noted that while the idea of providing fingerprints only once every three years seemed acceptable, the system now appears to photograph travelers repeatedly, significantly extending processing times.

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But as is often the case, 'practice in real life looks different'.

Even with an EU passport, travelers might not be exempt from long waits. Although larger border crossings often have dedicated lanes for Schengen-area travelers, these can still involve hours of waiting. The system's effectiveness is further questioned by reports of data exchange errors and processing times that far exceed the promised minute per traveler. This could impact both tourist and freight traffic, as limited lanes on highways exacerbate congestion when traffic backs up for kilometers.

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Whether you enter or leave, or stop somewhere: we are now photographed constantly, non-stop, up to 20 times.

Airlines, airports, and business associations are sounding the alarm about the EES system's shortcomings. The British newspaper The Telegraph has described the border regime as "disastrous" and warned it could ruin summer holidays. While Croatian Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic suggests that tourists prioritize reaching a safe country over minor border delays, the overall sentiment among industry players and frequent travelers is one of frustration and concern over the system's readiness and potential to cause widespread travel disruptions.

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No EU passports can protect against hours of sitting in border traffic jams.