Italy Eases EES Border Checks as Citizenship by Descent Remains a Top EU Path
Italy successfully lobbied the EU to relax biometric border checks during peak times to ease airport delays. Meanwhile, Italian citizenship by descent remains a stable route as other EU nations double their timelines.
Key takeaways
- Italy successfully lobbied Brussels to allow skipping biometric fingerprinting during peak airport hours.
- Ryanair reports two-hour queues at Italian airports due to EES, advising travelers to arrive earlier.
- Italy joins Greece and Portugal in relaxing EES checks for UK visitors to prioritize tourism.
- As Portugal doubles its citizenship timeline, Italy's naturalization and descent routes remain stable.
- The 2026 guide for Italian Citizenship by Descent highlights it as a reliable path to an EU passport.
Italy Lobbies Brussels for EES Flexibility
Italy has successfully pressured Brussels to allow Schengen states to drop biometric fingerprinting during peak travel times. The move comes as the new Entry/Exit System (EES) causes significant bottlenecks at European borders.
By prioritizing the flow of tourism and business travel over strict scanner compliance, Italy has set a precedent for border flexibility within the EU. This pragmatic approach aims to prevent system overloads when passenger volumes are at their highest.
Airport Delays and Travel Advice
The implementation of EES has led to severe logistical challenges at Italian airports. Ryanair has urged Italy to suspend the system entirely after reporting passenger queues of up to two hours.
In response to the delays, the airline has brought forward its check-in cut-off times. Travelers, including expats and investors, are strongly advised to allocate at least two extra hours when crossing the border or checking in for flights.
Relaxed Checks for UK Visitors
In a further pragmatic step, Italy has joined Greece and Portugal in relaxing EES checks specifically for UK visitors. While other nations like Spain have remained silent on the issue, Italy's decision underscores a commitment to maintaining a smooth flow of international arrivals.
This relaxation ensures that the local economy and tourism sector are not stifled by new technological mandates, making entry more convenient for frequent visitors and potential investors.
Italian Citizenship by Descent in 2026
While other European nations tighten their immigration policies—such as Portugal recently signing a law that doubles its citizenship timeline—Italy remains a stable alternative. The newly published 2026 guide for Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) highlights this route as one of the most reliable paths to an EU passport.
For applicants with qualifying ancestry, the Jure Sanguinis route offers a predictable and highly sought-after option amidst a landscape of changing European immigration laws.
Preparing for Italian Naturalization
For those who do not qualify for citizenship by descent, standard naturalization remains a viable option. As Italian immigration rules remain relatively predictable compared to neighboring countries, prospective applicants should begin preparing their documentation early.
For those pursuing citizenship through residency or marriage, passing the required Italian language exam is a mandatory step. Prep2Go offers targeted resources to help applicants confidently prepare for these language requirements and move closer to securing their Italian passport.
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