UK travellers are experiencing significant disruptions at European borders, with waits of up to three hours reported at passport control following the introduction of a new EU digital scheme. The situation has ignited a fierce debate among readers of The Independent, sharply dividing opinion between those criticising European Union inefficiency and those insisting Britain must now live with the direct consequences of Brexit.
The Source of the Delays: EES Rollout
The lengthy queues are a result of the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES), which was rolled out across the bloc in October 2025. The system requires non-EU citizens, which now includes British passport holders, to register facial biometrics and fingerprints at the border. This additional layer of checks has added considerable time to processing. The Airports Council International in Brussels has called for an urgent review of the system's implementation amid the widespread delays.
A Clash of Reader Perspectives
The community reaction reveals a deep national schism. A contingent of readers pointed the finger squarely at EU bureaucracy, labelling the new scheme as "ineffective" and poorly executed. One commenter, FaithofOurFathers, described the EU as an "inefficient, ineffective organisation," suggesting the delays vindicated the Brexit vote.
However, a larger portion of respondents argued that the situation was a predictable and direct outcome of the UK's decision to leave the European Union. They emphasised that British travellers, now classified as third-country nationals, should accept the new reality. Commenter Brad stated bluntly: "The UK got exactly what it wanted: out of the EU, out of being EU citizens." This sentiment was echoed by others who urged fellow Britons to stop complaining and "live with the consequences" of their vote.
Personal Impact and Changing Habits
The practical impact on travel plans was a common theme. Some readers, like Rafpi1964, shared that they have decided to postpone trips to Europe until the system improves, opting instead to spend their money in destinations outside the EES framework. Others noted that delays were exacerbated by travellers being unprepared, with commenter Dogsbrexit observing that those who pre-registered their biometrics were processed much faster.
Amid the frustration, a note of bitter irony was sounded. User rEUjoin sarcastically referred to the fingerprinting and photographing as "yet another Brexit benefit," highlighting the stark transition from being an EU citizen with free movement to being a "stranger" subject to stringent checks.
The debate underscores the ongoing and tangible repercussions of Brexit on daily life, with border control becoming a physical manifestation of the UK's changed status. As the system beds in, UK travellers face a new era of European travel defined by longer queues and advanced registration.
