The European Union (EU) has sued IBM and two European technology companies over repeated delays in developing its new border entry system. The legal dispute follows years of setbacks and technical problems that have disrupted travel at European airports.
The EU’s technology agency, eu-LISA, filed the lawsuit against IBM, French IT company Atos and Italian defense contractor Leonardo. The three companies formed a consortium contracted to develop the Entry/Exit System (EES), which electronically records travelers entering and leaving Europe’s Schengen area.
The agency submitted its claim to an Estonian court on Dec. 22, 2025. Details emerged in its annual accounts, which said eu-LISA pursued legal action to protect its financial interests after delays in the project’s delivery.
Delays and rising costs affect EU border system
The EES was originally scheduled to launch in 2022. However, repeated setbacks pushed its introduction to October 2025, with full deployment completed in April 2026. The delays also increased costs. According to the Financial Times, the original contract, valued at 142 million euros, rose to 212 million euros.
The companies had previously challenged penalties and revised deadlines. They cited external factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as contributing to the delays.
The system has also faced operational difficulties. Airports have reported malfunctioning registration kiosks and system outages. Passengers have waited up to three hours during busy periods, with some missing flights. Concerns over airport congestion have also prompted changes in Greece, which announced exemptions from biometric registration for British tourists.
EU says lawsuit will not affect border operations
Eu-LISA said the proceedings concern the system’s development and will not affect its current operation. The agency maintained that the EES is fully operational. The European Commission confirmed it was not involved in the lawsuit and said the dispute concerned earlier delivery delays. Atos declined to comment.
The EES requires most non-EU travelers entering the Schengen area for short stays to undergo biometric border checks, subject to exemptions. The 29-country zone includes most EU member states and four non-EU countries. The system aims to strengthen border security, detect overstays, and reduce identity fraud.
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