Ryanair has sent emails to passengers warning of potential delays due to the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES), which came into force on 10 April 2026. The system applies to non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss passport holders travelling into or out of the Schengen Area.
The airline advises that affected travellers may face longer queues at passport control, where they will need to scan their passport, provide fingerprints, and have a facial image taken. Queues could also form before security at busy airports.
Commonly affected routes include flights between the Schengen Area and the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel. EU, EEA, and Swiss passport holders are not affected, nor are passengers flying within the Schengen Area.
Ryanair recommends arriving early, having all travel documents ready, and following signs marked 'EES / Passport Control'. The airline also notes that any denial of entry is due to EU policy, not Ryanair's rules.
