UK holidaymakers travelling to Europe this summer have been warned that their travel insurance is unlikely to cover them if they miss their flight due to long queues at the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES). The EES, which requires third-country nationals including Brits to provide fingerprints and a photograph at the EU border, has been plagued with issues since its rollout, with some travellers missing flights after being stuck at passport control.
EES rollout causes delays and missed flights
The EES creates a digital record valid for three years, designed to boost border security and replace passport stamping. However, since implementation, many travellers have faced long queues. In April, around 100 Manchester-bound passengers missed their flight from Milan due to EES delays. With peak summer travel approaching, concerns are growing.
Travel insurance coverage gaps
Financial ratings company Defaqto warns that no travel insurance provider currently explicitly covers delays caused by the EES. Anna-Marie Duthie, Travel Insurance Expert at Defaqto, said: "No travel insurance provider currently explicitly covers delays caused by the Entry/Exit System, largely because it is considered part of the normal border process. In practice, that means it remains the traveller's responsibility to allow extra time for potentially longer queues at the airport."
Duthie added: "In the first instance, it’s the airline’s responsibility to sort any disruptions or delays of this nature. Only if they don’t provide a solution would the insurer step in. Every insurance claim is assessed on its individual circumstances. Immigration or border queues are not usually listed as insured events, there is no guarantee of cover simply because the queues are long."
Possible exceptions and airline responsibility
Defaqto noted that some travel insurance sections may apply in specific circumstances, such as travel delay (fixed benefit after a qualifying threshold), missed departure (covering additional costs if an unexpected event causes a missed flight), or trip abandonment (for extended qualifying delays). However, outcomes are decided on a case-by-case basis, and travellers should check with their insurer before travelling.
Aviation bosses call for flexibility
Airports Council International, representing over 600 airports in 55 European countries, signed an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, stating they have "reached a critical point" in the EES rollout and warning that existing challenges will intensify during the peak summer period without additional flexibility. The European Commission responded that "all efforts are being made to limit the impact on travellers from outside the EU" and that member states must ensure necessary operational capacity.
