France's Interior Ministry has defended the European Union's new biometric Entry & Exit System (EES), asserting that the mechanism is successfully fulfilling its security objectives. Much of the media coverage of the EU's Entry & Exit System has focused on the repeated delays and the chaos at border control points as the enhanced checks lead to long queues. Despite these reports, the ministry maintains that France has avoided major congestion by adopting a pragmatic approach to the implementation of these enhanced checks.
According to figures provided by the Interior Ministry to The Independent, the system has recorded more than 110 million entries and exits since its introduction in 2025. During this period, authorities have issued over 44,000 entry refusals. The ministry highlighted that these cases were primarily due to individuals overstaying their 90-day limit or visa duration, while more than 1,100 refusals involved individuals identified as posing a threat to internal security. A ministry spokesperson stated, "These figures demonstrate that EES effectively protects European citizens on a daily basis."
The EES requires non-EU citizens—excluding those with residency in an EU member state—to undergo enhanced passport checks, including the submission of biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans. While some passengers have reported long queues and missed flights at various airports, French airports have, so far, largely escaped the chaos seen in some Italian, Greek and Spanish airports, although some passengers have reported long queues. The government emphasized that it is utilizing the flexibility provided by the European legal framework to maintain border fluidity while complying with all European obligations.
Particular attention has remained on the busy UK-France border, including crossing points with juxtaposed border controls. Operators at the Eurostar, Eurotunnel, and the Port of Dover confirmed to reporters that full-scale EES checks will be deferred until the conclusion of the peak summer travel season. The Interior Ministry spokesperson reiterated that France remains committed to a "reasonable and pragmatic" use of the system to ensure a satisfactory experience for travelers while upholding the security benefits intended by the EU-wide policy.
