European travel bodies are warning of potential five-hour queues this summer unless the EU’s new biometric Entry-Exit System (EES) is applied with greater flexibility, The Guardian reported on 5 February. The system—soft-launched last October—requires all non-EU visitors, including Canadians, to be fingerprinted and photographed on first arrival after 10 April 2026.
Airports in Spain, France and Italy have already seen wait times of up to three hours even though only 35 % of passengers are currently subject to full biometric capture. Industry groups such as ACI Europe and the UK’s ABTA are pressing Brussels to allow border officers to suspend checks during peaks or dramatically increase staffing.
If your organization needs up-to-date guidance on the evolving EES requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Through its Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/), VisaHQ tracks EU policy changes in real time, helps travellers assemble the right documentation, and offers concierge services that cut down on surprises at the border—saving companies both time and money.
![EU Biometric Entry-Exit System Raises Summer Chaos Fears for Canadian Travellers]()
For Canadian business travellers and mobility managers, the timeline collides with the Paris 2026 tourist season and a rebound in corporate travel budgets. Travel-management companies are advising clients to book longer connection times within Europe, schedule morning arrivals when queues are shorter, and encourage employees to enrol in airline fast-track services where available.
The Canadian government has yet to issue formal guidance, but observers expect an updated travel advisory in the spring. Companies sending staff to Europe after 10 April should budget for contingency accommodation and missed meetings until the system stabilises.
Failure to plan may also affect relocations: assignees taking up EU postings will need to complete EES registration on arrival, potentially delaying household-goods clearance and local ID issuance.
Airports in Spain, France and Italy have already seen wait times of up to three hours even though only 35 % of passengers are currently subject to full biometric capture. Industry groups such as ACI Europe and the UK’s ABTA are pressing Brussels to allow border officers to suspend checks during peaks or dramatically increase staffing.
If your organization needs up-to-date guidance on the evolving EES requirements, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Through its Canadian portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/), VisaHQ tracks EU policy changes in real time, helps travellers assemble the right documentation, and offers concierge services that cut down on surprises at the border—saving companies both time and money.
For Canadian business travellers and mobility managers, the timeline collides with the Paris 2026 tourist season and a rebound in corporate travel budgets. Travel-management companies are advising clients to book longer connection times within Europe, schedule morning arrivals when queues are shorter, and encourage employees to enrol in airline fast-track services where available.
The Canadian government has yet to issue formal guidance, but observers expect an updated travel advisory in the spring. Companies sending staff to Europe after 10 April should budget for contingency accommodation and missed meetings until the system stabilises.
Failure to plan may also affect relocations: assignees taking up EU postings will need to complete EES registration on arrival, potentially delaying household-goods clearance and local ID issuance.
