Commissioner Magnus Brunner, in a written answer to MEPs Petra Steger and Mary Khan, defended the progressive rollout of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), acknowledging isolated technical difficulties but insisting that the vast majority of member states are registering border crossings without significant disruptions. The answer, published on 29 April 2026, pushes back against media reports of widespread delays and long queues, attributing any issues to exceptional circumstances that can be managed under Regulation (EU) 2025/1534, which allows for partial or full suspension of the system.
The question, submitted on 25 February 2026, follows up on an earlier inquiry from March 2025, to which Brunner had previously cited COVID-19 disruptions and technical complexities as causes for delays. The MEPs, from the Patriots for Europe and European Sovereign Nations groups, cited a Euronews report from February 2026 that the EES rollout had been postponed until September over summer travel chaos fears, and an Airports Council International Europe report showing border processing times increasing by up to 70%.
Brunner's answer offers no new concrete targets or deadlines for full EES implementation. Instead, it emphasises that the Commission monitors the rollout through daily statistics and coordinates with member states facing difficulties. He directs the MEPs to monthly reports that member states must submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Commission, and eu-LISA, which detail adherence to rollout plans and any corrective measures. This suggests the Commission is relying on existing reporting mechanisms rather than announcing new measures.
The policy orientation is one of cautious reassurance: the Commission acknowledges challenges but downplays their severity, framing them as isolated and manageable. The answer does not signal any major shift in approach or timeline, nor does it address the broader criticism of political will. The institutional follow-up is likely to remain technical, with the Commission continuing to monitor and support member states, while the Parliament may use the monthly reports to scrutinise progress. The impact on stakeholders is mixed: for EU travellers, the answer offers little clarity on when the system will be fully operational or whether delays will persist; for airlines, ferry operators, and Eurotunnel, the lack of a firm timeline may prolong uncertainty; for member states, the reporting obligations remain unchanged; and for EU institutions, the answer reinforces the existing legal framework without accelerating the rollout.