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Wed, 24 Jun 2026

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 Why are there holiday delay warnings over the EU's new border system?

The EU's much-delayed Entry/Exit System will change the way UK passengers travel to 29 countries.

* Non-EU citizens, including UK travelers, must register their biometric information (fingerprints and photo) when entering and leaving the Schengen Area.
* The new system, called the Entry/Exit System (EES), replaces manual passport stamping and tracks who enters and leaves the Schengen zone.
* UK citizens will be required to provide fingerprints and a photo at automated kiosks after landing in popular holiday destinations such as France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
* Some passengers, including children under 12, may have their passports checked by border staff instead of using automated kiosks.
* The system has been rolled out since October last year, but has faced issues with technology and staffing levels leading to long queues at some airports.
* Travel experts warn that queues could be as long as six hours, and passengers are advised to arrive three hours before their flight home.
* Airlines have different policies on whether they will hold flights for passengers who get held up in the queue.
* Some countries, such as Greece, are exempt from the biometric checks during peak periods, while others may suspend the system if waiting times become excessive.