American travelers heading to France should prepare for significantly longer airport processing times beginning April 9, 2026, when the European Union introduces a new biometric entry system. The system, which will apply to U.S. citizens arriving across the EU, is expected to increase processing times to as much as four hours during peak travel periods—far longer than current entry procedures.
The change comes as tourism demand rises with the opening of Disney Adventure World, a major new expansion at Disneyland Paris debuting this month.
Travel experts advise visitors to allow extra time when arriving at European airports, schedule connecting flights with larger buffers, and account for possible delays in their overall itinerary. Travelers planning trips to Paris or elsewhere in Europe may also want to arrive a day early or schedule longer stays to offset time lost during airport processing.