A 15 September report by specialist outlet LesMRE reveals that Belgium is one of nine Schengen countries that have failed to complete full deployment of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks before the 6 September deadline. Along with France, the Netherlands and Germany, Belgium requested – and quietly received – an extension from Brussels to avoid penalties while airports finish installing fingerprint and facial-recognition kits. The delay explains the sporadic three-hour queues recently reported at Brussels Airport, where only some arrival lanes are equipped with the new scanners. The European Commission has confirmed that no infringement procedures will be launched for now, giving laggards until early 2027 to reach 100 % coverage. For global mobility programmes, the partial rollout creates an uneven experience: Belgian e-gates work for EU citizens, but third-country nationals may face manual processing if biometric kiosks are offline. Companies should brief non-EU assignees to expect longer waits and ensure sufficient layover time on connections through Brussels. Airlines may also have to adjust minimum connection times, adding cost to corporate travel budgets. The reprieve is welcome for ground-handling teams struggling with staff shortages, yet it prolongs uncertainty. Once the grace period ends, carriers that fail to capture accurate traveller data risk fines, and overstays will be flagged automatically, tightening compliance for short-term project workers. Belgium’s transport ministry says full EES functionality at Brussels and Charleroi is now slated for March 2027, after the peak winter season. Employers should monitor progress and consider alternative entry points – such as Amsterdam Schiphol or Paris CDG – for large group moves until biometric throughput stabilises.
Source: LesMRE
