EES, the new European Union (EU) border security system, experiences an additional delay at the UK’s Port of Dover. Simultaneously, Europe is offering travel passes for the youth as it marks 40 years of the Schengen Area. Together, these two initiatives illustrate the significance of stronger security and open borders.
EES at Dover Port Paused
The Entry/Exit System (EES), designed to record biometric data of non-EU travelers, has been delayed again. According to Biometric Update (Nov. 2025), the Port of Dover postponed implementing biometric checks for car passengers after French authorities withheld approval.
Overall, the system aims to replace passport stamping with fingerprint and facial scans. It’s part of the EU’s effort to modernize and secure external borders. However, rollout issues keep emerging. As a result, some airports and ports are struggling to install the necessary infrastructure or train staff in time.
Despite progress elsewhere, full deployment may not come until April 2026. That’s when the EU’s transition period ends. For now, delays like Dover’s highlight ongoing coordination challenges between Schengen and non-Schengen jurisdictions.
Consequently, travelers and transport operators worry about bottlenecks once the system becomes mandatory. At the moment, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is only processing a few dozen passengers a day for EES. In time, they will facilitate between 15,000 and 20,000 biometric scans for the system.
“We need to ensure everything works correctly and identify any issues. In December, we will process larger volumes,” Rik Rovers, acting head of department at the Ministry of Asylum and Migration, told NL Times.
What the EES Means for Travelers
When fully active, the EES will automatically record entries and exits of third-country nationals visiting the Schengen Area. Correspondingly, it will store data such as names, passport numbers, fingerprints, and facial images for up to three years.
Generally, supporters say the system will streamline travel and prevent overstays. Critics, however, warn about data privacy and technical breakdowns. Importantly, the system will affect millions of UK travelers heading to EU destinations each year.
Therefore, even a short delay at border checkpoints could cause significant congestion. Moreover, local economies in border regions fear disruptions if long queues deter tourists or freight movement.
EU Tightens Visa Rules for Russians
While Europe struggles to modernize its borders with the EES, it’s also reshaping who can enter. Specifically, the EU plans to tighten visa rules for Russian nationals amid ongoing tensions over the war in Ukraine.
According to Politico Europe, the European Commission will issue new guidelines limiting multiple-entry visas for Russian citizens. In most cases, applicants will only receive single-entry permits. Notably, the move aligns with efforts to reduce travel privileges for Russians and reinforce sanctions pressure.
In 2019, before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the EU issued more than 4 million Schengen visas to Russian travelers. Later, by 2024, this number dropped by nearly 90%. Now, with additional restrictions, even fewer Russians will qualify for short-stay travel across the Schengen Area.
Nevertheless, enforcement remains uneven. Baltic nations already banned most Russian visitors, while others, such as France, Italy, and Spain, still process limited applications. While Brussels can recommend policies, individual member states retain control over issuing visas.
Overall, European officials frame the measure as necessary.
40 Years of Schengen
Amid the EES and changing visa rules, the EU also celebrates 40 years since the signing of the Schengen Agreement. The accord, first signed in 1985, created a border-free zone that now includes 27 European countries.
To mark the anniversary, the European Commission launched a youth mobility campaign through its DiscoverEU program. The initiative offers 40,000 free travel passes to young Europeans born in 2007. In particular, participants can travel across Europe between March 2026 and May 2027.
According to EU Reporter, the campaign aims to reaffirm the spirit of free movement at a time when Europe is tightening its external borders. Moreover, it represents a symbolic contrast: while biometric controls and visa limits grow stricter, opportunities for young EU citizens to explore remain wide open.
Balancing Mobility and Security
The simultaneous rollout of the EES and new visa rules illustrates a deeper dilemma for Europe. Specifically, the EU seeks both open movement within its borders and tight control at its edges. Hence, these twin goals often collide.
On one hand, technologies like EES promise safer and more efficient travel. They help authorities spot overstays, track entries, and reduce fraud. On the other hand, technical glitches or bureaucratic delays can undermine confidence and inconvenience travelers.
Similarly, stricter visa policies may improve security but risk reducing tourism revenue and diplomatic flexibility. Russian tourists, for example, spend over $1,600 per person per holiday, according to Expomitt. As a result, their absence is already felt in parts of Southern Europe dependent on foreign visitors.
Still, officials argue the changes are part of a necessary modernization drive.
EES and Shifting Visa Rules
Overall, Europe’s approach to border management continues to evolve. The EES represents a step toward unified, digital controls. Yet, real-world execution remains uneven. National governments must harmonize technology standards, privacy laws, and staffing to make it work.
Meanwhile, shifting visa rules reflect the broader geopolitical climate. With the war in Ukraine entering its fourth year, EU policy toward Russia remains firm. Border policy, once seen mainly as a logistical issue, now carries heavy political meaning.
The challenge for EU leaders will be to balance security without losing the essence of open travel that Schengen represents.
Photo by Vilmantas Bekesius on Unsplash
