EU-Lisa Sues IBM, Atos, Leonardo Over Delays
The EU agency for large-scale IT systems is suing three contractors over delays in building the Entry/Exit System.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Immigration
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EU-Lisa has sued IBM, Atos and Leonardo over delays in developing the Entry/Exit System, which electronically records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals at external borders. The system applies across 29 Schengen countries.
Why it matters
The Entry/Exit System is designed to identify visa overstayers, combat identity fraud and curb illegal migration across the Schengen area. Repeated delays have pushed back its rollout, and the legal action reflects the strain on the project.
The lawsuit was filed against a consortium awarded a six-year contract in 2019 covering the system's implementation and maintenance. Whether the claims will succeed and what remedies may follow have not been determined.
The players
EU-Lisa
The EU agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice, responsible for building and running the Entry/Exit System.
IBM
The American multinational technology company whose Belgian subsidiary was part of the consortium awarded the Entry/Exit System contract.
Atos
The French multinational IT services company whose Belgian subsidiary was part of the consortium awarded the Entry/Exit System contract.
Leonardo
The Italian aerospace, defense and security company that was part of the consortium awarded the Entry/Exit System contract.
The details
In October 2021 Atos Belgium and IBM Belgium contested a fine imposed by the agency, and in February 2022 the three companies pushed back against new deadlines EU-Lisa had set. The contractors argued that delays stemmed from external factors, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Timeline
2019: EU-Lisa awarded the core EES contract to the consortium.
October 2021: Atos Belgium and IBM Belgium contested the agency's fine.
February 2022: The companies pushed back against new EU-Lisa deadlines.
November 9, 2026: The Financial Times reported the agency's lawsuit against the firms.
Big Picture
The dispute illustrates the gap between the EU's legal framework for electronic border registration and the technical delivery of the systems meant to support it. Delays of this kind have repeatedly tested the timelines set under that framework.
Delays in the Entry/Exit System affect how quickly border authorities can record entries and exits of non-EU travelers across the Schengen area. Travelers may continue to face existing border procedures until the system is fully operational.
The takeaway
Large public IT projects that depend on multiple contractors can stall when deadlines slip, and the resulting disputes can take years to resolve. Readers following border policy should watch how the Entry/Exit System's rollout timeline changes.
Further reading
Explore more on Immigration policy and border systems across Europe.
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