Switzerland Joins Multiple Countries in Suspending Biometric Border Checks as UK Tourists Face Major Airport Disruption

EU Entry/Exit System Chaos Forces Switzerland, Greece, France, and More to Suspend Biometric Checks — What UK Travellers Need to Know Before Flying to Europe in 2026

Switzerland has become the latest country to suspend newly introduced biometric border checks for British travellers, joining a growing number of nations — including Germany, Greece, France, Spain, Italy, and the United States — that have taken emergency action to ease widespread disruption at European airports. The decision comes as the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), which became fully mandatory across all 29 Schengen Area countries on 10 April 2026, has triggered long queues, missed flights, and significant frustration for UK holidaymakers heading to popular European destinations.

The EES was introduced to replace traditional passport stamping for non-EU nationals — including British citizens post-Brexit — with a digital biometric registration process. Travellers are required to have their fingerprints and facial image captured upon first entry into the Schengen Area, with the data stored for three years so that repeat visitors face a much quicker process on future trips. Designed to modernise border security, reduce fraud, and track overstays more effectively, the system was intended to be a step forward for European travel. However, the reality of its rollout has been far from smooth.

Greece confirmed its suspension ahead of the summer season, with the Greek National Tourism Organization stating that the decision would ensure a smoother arrival experience for British visitors — an important move given that the UK is one of Greece's largest tourism markets. France, which saw lengthy delays at Charles de Gaulle Airport, also moved to ease checks, particularly with the summer travel surge on the horizon. The United States similarly halted biometric checks for UK nationals at major East Coast entry points, including New York JFK and Boston Logan, in a bid to prevent comparable disruption.

The European Commission has confirmed that the suspensions are a temporary, built-in flexibility measure — not a reversal of the system. Countries can pause EES checks for up to 90 days after the April 9 rollout, with an optional 60-day extension, meaning full biometric checks are expected to resume across all Schengen nations no later than early September 2026.

For British travellers, this means summer holidays should be significantly less disrupted — but it is only a short-term reprieve. EES is here to stay.​​​​​​​

If you are travelling to Europe this summer, we recommend arriving at the airport earlier than usual, checking the entry requirements for your specific destination before departure, and downloading the official EU Travel to Europe app, which allows pre-registration of biometric data up to 72 hours before arrival at airports where it is available. Staying informed ahead of your trip remains the best way to avoid any last-minute surprises at the border.

As the situation continues to evolve, travellers are advised to check the latest entry requirements for their destination before heading to the airport.