British holidaymakers are being urged to build in significant extra time for their journeys as the European Union's new digital border system triggers major delays at airports and ports across the Schengen Area.
What is the EES and Why is it Causing Delays?
The European Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated border control process for non-EU nationals, which now includes UK citizens following Brexit. The system requires travellers to register biometric data, including fingerprints and facial photographs, upon first entry into the Schengen zone.
Although the rollout began in October 2025, authorities have until April 2026 to fully implement the technology, when it will become mandatory. The initial requirement for EU countries was to register just 10% of third-country arrivals, but this threshold has now jumped to 35%, accelerating the impact on processing times.
Passenger Chaos and Missed Flights
The new checks are already creating severe bottlenecks. According to a report from the Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, processing times escalated by 70% over the Christmas period due to the EES introduction. In peak periods, some passengers have faced waits of up to three hours, with reports of travellers missing their flights entirely.
The travel trade association ABTA has noted experiences vary, from relatively smooth transitions to incidents where large queues have formed at passport control. With the increased registration target, there are serious concerns that problems could worsen, with one source warning of potential 'bedlam next summer' if issues are not resolved.
Key Locations and Essential Travel Advice
The EES is being introduced at major entry points across the Schengen Area, which comprises most EU nations plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. Key airports already implementing the system include:
- Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante
- Italy: Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa
- France: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Nice
- Germany: Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich
- Netherlands: Amsterdam Schiphol
ABTA and border authorities are urging the use of contingency measures to manage flows. Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA, stated: "The EES is a change to how we travel to and from Europe, and while eventually it will make passport checks quicker, initially it may take longer."
The association has issued clear guidance for travellers: proceed directly to passport control after check-in and security to complete EES checks early, and always follow your transport provider's advice on arrival times. The standard advice is to arrive at the airport at least two hours before a flight to Europe, but checking with your airline or ferry company is crucial.
