EU stands firm on border checks as Riviera braces for summer chaos

The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) for biometric border checks will proceed without suspension this summer, the bloc confirmed on Wednesday, according to The Local Italy. Airports and airlines across Europe have demanded a postponement, citing fears of chaos at holiday hotspots during peak season. The system requires all non-EU travellers to provide fingerprints and facial scans at external borders, a process that adds time to immigration queues.

For the Riviera and Cinque Terre—two of Italy's busiest coastal tourist zones—the timing could prove disruptive. Summer travel to Liguria peaks in July and August, with millions of international visitors funnelling through Genoa airport and smaller regional gateways. The Riviera's economy depends on seamless visitor flows; delays at borders risk frustrating tourists and damaging Italy's competitive position against Mediterranean rivals like Spain and Greece, where similar infrastructure challenges are under way.