The Italian government is drafting an emergency decree that would grant border-police officers at major gateways, including Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Malpensa, the flexibility to temporarily bypass the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES).
The proposed measure was published on May 5, 2026.
What to Expect
If approved, under the emergency decree, officers would be able to revert back to the traditional stamp-in, stamp-out procedures if/when the border control line exceeds 45 minutes.
- The traditional review process can be put into practice multiple times throughout the day, depending on demand.
- The proposed decree and resulting flexibility would be available nationwide until September 30, 2026.
This window would allow airport personnel time to install more biometric e-gates, train staff, and test the EU’s forthcoming “Travel to Europe” pre-registration app.
Other EES countries, Greece and Portugal, have also announced plans to adjust the border review process, as a result of the long lines.
Looking Ahead
Rome is trialing a smartphone app that would allow select non-EU travelers to pre-register facial images before arrival. If the pilot is successful, the app become mandatory for visa-exempt business visitors from the United States, Canada and the UK.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Travelers are advised to ensure their passport book has ample and additional pages for stamps and that they are allowing longer connecting times, if needed. Multinationals should monitor the Gazette Ufficiale for rule-making expected in September. Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.