The temporary flexibility allowing EU member states to pause biometric border checks under the bloc's new Entry/Exit System (EES) officially expired on 6 September, raising fears of renewed queues at airports and other crossing points, though several countries are reportedly continuing to relax enforcement informally. Airlines and travel bodies had urged the European Commission to extend discretionary powers until the end of 2026, warning that strict enforcement risks a repeat of the lengthy delays seen at some European airports earlier in the summer, which caused passengers to miss flights.

Despite Brussels declining to formally extend the flexibility period, cross-Channel travel to France is expected to remain unchanged next week due to unresolved technical problems with the French-commissioned EES software, meaning fingerprinting kiosks at Eurotunnel, Dover and Eurostar's London St Pancras terminal remain non-operational. Border officials in destinations such as Greece have reportedly been unofficially exempting UK passengers from checks to avoid congestion, a practice expected to continue. Industry bodies including Abta and Iata continue to press for a formal extension, with Iata's Thomas Reynaert warning that system failures damage Europe's reputation and erode passenger trust, while the European Commission says it is working with the small number of member states needing "operational adjustment".