British holidaymakers heading to Europe this summer are being warned to expect significant delays at passport control, as the European Union rolls out its new Entry/Exit System (EES). The biometric border programme, which began gradual implementation in October 2025 and is set to be fully operational by 10 April, requires non-EU nationals to register fingerprints and have a photograph taken at the border. This has already led to queues of up to three hours at some airports, with wait times increasing by as much as 70% according to Airports Council International (ACI).
Travel expert Ash Bhardwaj experienced the delays first-hand when flying to Oslo in February, spending an hour in passport control on a quiet weekday. In December, Lisbon Airport temporarily suspended the system after queues reached five hours, causing passengers to miss flights. Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership, warned that the situation is likely to worsen as the April deadline approaches and summer travel peaks.
To mitigate delays, experts recommend non-EU travellers add at least four hours of buffer time to their plans and choose connecting flights with extra-long layovers. Even those who have already registered with EES will join the same queue as first-time travellers, as biometric data is stored for three years but does not grant priority access. The European Commission has suggested border authorities may suspend the system for up to six hours during peak times until September, but this cannot be guaranteed.
Technical issues have also affected some kiosks, with Bhardwaj noting that computer failures could cause further disruption. Travellers are advised to stay updated with their airline and airport for real-time information on queues and delays before arriving.
