The European Commission has quietly confirmed that Schengen governments—including the Czech Republic—may “partially suspend” the new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES) for up to 90 days, with a possible 60-day extension, once the scheme becomes mandatory on 10 April 2026. The clarification, published on 23 February, comes amid mounting evidence that the live roll-out is slowing border processing times by 70 % at some airports and creating queues of several hours.(internationalairportreview.com)
For Václav Havel Airport Prague, which expects more than 18 million passengers this year—over one-quarter of them from non-EU countries—the flexibility is a welcome safety-valve. Airport management told local media that contingency rosters for border-police officers and IT engineers have already been drafted, and a “traffic-light” dashboard will trigger a switch to manual stamping if average wait times exceed 45 minutes. The Border Police say they will prioritise flights from strategic markets such as the United Kingdom, United States and Israel, whose nationals must undergo full biometric capture on their first post-launch trip.
![EU allows Member States to suspend biometric Entry/Exit System for 90-plus days; Prague Airport activates fallback plan]()
If you’re unsure how the looming EES changes intersect with traditional visa requirements, VisaHQ can take the guesswork out of the process. Its Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) consolidates the latest entry rules, electronic forms, and embassy procedures, offering travellers and corporate mobility teams a single, reliable dashboard—and optional door-to-door passport handling—to keep trips on schedule even amid policy shifts.
Corporate mobility managers should nevertheless brace for disruption. If Prague opts for a partial suspension during the summer peak, travellers who recorded fingerprints on an earlier journey may suddenly revert to manual stamping, invalidating automated gate privileges on connecting flights within Schengen. Employers are advised to update travel policies, warn staff to build in an extra hour for border control, and remind frequent flyers that EES data remain valid for three years even if a suspension is in force. Companies that rely on weekend assignees should also monitor whether road and rail checkpoints follow the airport’s lead; the suspension power applies to **all** external border crossings, not just aviation.
Longer term, Czech officials insist the country remains committed to digitised borders. Prague Airport is continuing its pilot of the EU-backed “Digital Travel App,” and the Interior Ministry is investing CZK 180 million in additional e-gates. But the message from Brussels is clear: operational reality will trump political deadlines if passenger experience or critical trade flows are at risk.
For Václav Havel Airport Prague, which expects more than 18 million passengers this year—over one-quarter of them from non-EU countries—the flexibility is a welcome safety-valve. Airport management told local media that contingency rosters for border-police officers and IT engineers have already been drafted, and a “traffic-light” dashboard will trigger a switch to manual stamping if average wait times exceed 45 minutes. The Border Police say they will prioritise flights from strategic markets such as the United Kingdom, United States and Israel, whose nationals must undergo full biometric capture on their first post-launch trip.
If you’re unsure how the looming EES changes intersect with traditional visa requirements, VisaHQ can take the guesswork out of the process. Its Czech Republic portal (https://www.visahq.com/czech-republic/) consolidates the latest entry rules, electronic forms, and embassy procedures, offering travellers and corporate mobility teams a single, reliable dashboard—and optional door-to-door passport handling—to keep trips on schedule even amid policy shifts.
Corporate mobility managers should nevertheless brace for disruption. If Prague opts for a partial suspension during the summer peak, travellers who recorded fingerprints on an earlier journey may suddenly revert to manual stamping, invalidating automated gate privileges on connecting flights within Schengen. Employers are advised to update travel policies, warn staff to build in an extra hour for border control, and remind frequent flyers that EES data remain valid for three years even if a suspension is in force. Companies that rely on weekend assignees should also monitor whether road and rail checkpoints follow the airport’s lead; the suspension power applies to **all** external border crossings, not just aviation.
Longer term, Czech officials insist the country remains committed to digitised borders. Prague Airport is continuing its pilot of the EU-backed “Digital Travel App,” and the Interior Ministry is investing CZK 180 million in additional e-gates. But the message from Brussels is clear: operational reality will trump political deadlines if passenger experience or critical trade flows are at risk.
