Nearly a fifth of British adults have considered swapping a summer holiday in Europe for a staycation in Britain following widespread border chaos caused by the EU's new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), new polling reveals. However, a selection of top European destinations do not belong to the Schengen free-movement zone, meaning they are exempt from EES requirements and promise much smoother arrivals.
EES rollout causes major disruptions
The new measures require non-EU passengers – including British passport holders – to scan their facial images and register their fingerprints before passing through passport control when entering Schengen Area countries. The system has already suffered significant teething issues, with industry leaders and airport operators trading blame over understaffed border points, flawed IT infrastructure, and bottleneck designs that have left some holidaymakers facing queues of up to five hours.
Research by Savanta found that 43% of Britons are changing travel plans, considering doing so, or feeling more anxious about travelling abroad due to severe bottlenecks and hours-long queues, with 15% specifically eyeing domestic breaks instead and dozens cancelling their overseas trips outright.
Countries exempt from EES
Although Cyprus is an EU member state, it has not fully integrated into the Schengen Zone. British tourists can head to Mediterranean beach hotspots like Limassol, Larnaca, and Ayia Napa, or explore the Troodos Mountains, without facing biometric registration kiosks.
Thanks to an exceptional agreement opting out of Schengen rules, flights and ferries to Ireland remain completely unaffected by EES. From scenic road trips along the 1,600-mile Wild Atlantic Way to city breaks in Dublin, Galway, or Cork, travel stays as fast and simple as ever.
Dubbed "Europe's best-kept secret," Albania sits outside the EU and Schengen zone. The Albanian Riviera boasts turquoise waters and white-sand beaches in Ksamil and Himarë that rival those of Greece and Croatia at a fraction of the cost, plus queue-free arrivals at Tirana airport.
Offering remarkable value for money, Bosnia and Herzegovina features stunning natural attractions such as the Kravica Waterfalls and Una National Park. Culture seekers can visit historic Mostar with its iconic 16th-century bridge or sample the laidback coffee culture of Sarajevo.
Rich in mountain ranges, Ottoman heritage, and ancient archaeological sites, landlocked North Macedonia avoids EES completely. Key highlights include the bustling Old Bazaar in the capital city of Skopje and the picturesque shores of Lake Ohrid.
For wine lovers seeking an off-the-beaten-track escape, Moldova is home to the world's largest wine cellar, Mileștii Mici, holding over 1.5 million bottles underground. Its capital, Chișinău, features grand Soviet-era limestone architecture set amid lush green parks.
Montenegro offers dramatic alpine landscapes in Durmitor National Park alongside a glamorous Adriatic coastline. Luxury seaside spots like Sveti Stefan and the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor attract visitors without any of the Schengen border slowdowns.
Europe's youngest nation, Kosovo, declared independence in 2008. Visitors to the capital, Prishtina, can enjoy a vibrant coffee culture and historic Ottoman architecture, while the southern city of Prizren offers well-preserved fortifications at the foot of the Sharr Mountains.
Belgrade, Serbia's capital, has earned a reputation as one of Europe's top city break destinations, famed for its summer splavovi (floating river clubs), the ancient Belgrade Fortress, and vibrant bohemian quarters. Beyond the city lie five national parks filled with hiking trails and canyon views.
Greece's temporary suspension and staycation option
While Greece is a Schengen country where EES is officially active, Greek authorities previously announced a temporary suspension of biometric registration for British tourists. Facing hours-long delays at major gateways such as Athens, Zante, and Corfu, officials utilised European Commission flexibilities that allow airports to pause EES checks during peak traffic. Although EU rules mandate that any temporary pauses must be congestion-based rather than nation-specific, the practical result for many British holidaymakers heading to Greek resorts this summer is a fast-tracked arrival without additional biometric queues.
However, the most foolproof way to avoid international border control entirely is to embrace a staycation at home. From the Scottish Highlands and Pembrokeshire coastline to the Lake District, Cotswolds, or vibrant city breaks in Newcastle, Dundee, and Birmingham, domestic travel guarantees zero EES queues.
