The European Commission confirmed on 7 July that Schengen countries may continue to apply a limited waiver on collecting fingerprints and facial images for the new Entry/Exit System (EES) until 30 September 2026. The decision follows mounting evidence that extra-Schengen airports—including Brussels Airport—are struggling to process peak-season passenger volumes while simultaneously registering first-time third-country travellers in the biometric database. Under the temporary derogation, border officers can rely on passport scans alone when queues exceed 30 minutes, provided that biometric enrolment is completed on the traveller’s next crossing within 180 days. Airlines and ground-handling companies operating at Brussels say the measure has already reduced average wait times from 55 to 28 minutes since it was first introduced in mid-June.
![EU lets Member States keep partial suspension of EES biometrics through summer, easing pressure at Brussels Airport]()
For travellers looking to stay ahead of these evolving border requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal can quickly determine whether you qualify for the EES waiver, provide real-time updates on biometric enrolment rules, and coordinate any visa or work-permit assistance should your plans involve onward travel to borders where the waiver is not in force.
The Commission is adamant that the pause is not a back-door delay to full EES roll-out. A spokesperson stressed that Member States must keep investing in additional e-gates, booths and staff and must report weekly statistics on waived registrations. If performance indicators improve sooner than expected, the suspension could be lifted before the end-of-summer review. For companies moving staff through Brussels—particularly short-term contractors and project teams—the clarification removes immediate uncertainty around late-July and August travel. Employers are, however, advised to brief non-EU assignees that they will still need to complete biometric enrolment on a subsequent trip, and to allow extra connection time when using land borders where the waiver is not applied.
For travellers looking to stay ahead of these evolving border requirements, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal can quickly determine whether you qualify for the EES waiver, provide real-time updates on biometric enrolment rules, and coordinate any visa or work-permit assistance should your plans involve onward travel to borders where the waiver is not in force.
The Commission is adamant that the pause is not a back-door delay to full EES roll-out. A spokesperson stressed that Member States must keep investing in additional e-gates, booths and staff and must report weekly statistics on waived registrations. If performance indicators improve sooner than expected, the suspension could be lifted before the end-of-summer review. For companies moving staff through Brussels—particularly short-term contractors and project teams—the clarification removes immediate uncertainty around late-July and August travel. Employers are, however, advised to brief non-EU assignees that they will still need to complete biometric enrolment on a subsequent trip, and to allow extra connection time when using land borders where the waiver is not applied.
