Despite the planned adoption of the biometric system by 10 April, the EU is allowing the 29 participating countries to resort to "certain flexibilities" and extend the EES introduction process until the beginning of September.

Quoted by the same media outlet, Markus Lammert, spokesperson for the European Commission, stated that "no further extensions to the phased implementation have been announced."

"The phased rollout of the EES will end on 9 April 2026. However, the EES regulation already provides certain flexibilities for Member States during the period following the completion of implementation in April of this year," added Lammert.

“Following the completion of implementation, Member States may still partially suspend EES operations, where necessary, for an additional period of 90 days, with a possible 60-day extension to cover the summer peak.”

The EES aims to replace passport stamps for visitors from countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America at EU borders, using biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints.