EU Border System Spurs Airport Queues as Holidaymakers Eager to Get Home

Sat Jul 11 2026 18:29:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Travelers heading home after summer holidays hit shockingly long queues at EU borders due to the new Entry/Exit System and upcoming passport checks.

The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing months of long queues at airports, ferries and train stations as all non‑EU passport holders—including British travellers—must register fingerprints and a photo before they can depart the Schengen Area. The system went live in October, but the first summer has seen widespread delays, with some passengers waiting up to six hours, and airlines warning passengers to arrive early. The European Commission has allowed temporary suspensions of the system if queues become excessive, while several countries are adding staff to improve processing times. Airlines are giving varying advice on how early to arrive, and some carriers are refusing to hold flights for stranded travellers. The EES is part of a broader plan that will eventually lead to a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) expected to start at the end of 2026.

EU Border System Spurs Airport Queues as Holidaymakers Eager to Get Home

The European Union’s new digital border control system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), has already put millions of holidaymakers on in‑depth waiting lists as they attempt to leave the Schengen Area. Travellers from the UK and other non‑EU nations must now undergo biometric registration – fingerprinting and a photo – before they can depart.

What is the EES and what must people do?

The EES replaces the old manual passport‑stamping system. It records every entry and exit to the Schengen zone, which covers 29 European countries. At airports, airlines like Wizz Air have urged passengers to arrive three hours before their flight home, as the biometric process can add a significant delay. Some passengers have missed flights because the wait time at the border was longer than the time needed to reach their gate.

In countries that run automated kiosks – such as London St Pancras for Eurostar, Dover for the ferry, and Folkestone for the Channel Tunnel – the system is not yet in routine use. Border staff are sometimes the only ones carrying out passport checks, and delays have been reported, especially during May half‑term holidays.

How is EES affecting flight passengers?

Since October, airports with EES kiosks have experienced queues that have flared up during busy times. Waits of up to six hours have been reported by industry bodies such as IATA. Some passengers had to register their biometric data more than once, further extending the delay. Airlines have mixed responses: some will hold flights for stranded passengers, while others, such as Ryanair, have said they will not.

What about ferries and trains?

The French Border Police at Dover, Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal, and Eurostar’s St Pancras terminus conduct passport checks before travelers leave the UK. While automated kiosks exist, they are not yet routine, leading to long queues, for example at Dover during May half‑term holidays. The European Commission is allowing temporary suspensions of the process in “exceptional circumstances,” until September, to reduce waiting times.

Future Improvements and the Upcoming ETIAS

Portugal is adding hundreds of extra border staff for July to ease the queues experienced there. The European Commission is also preparing for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will be linked to the EES and will allow visa‑free travellers to apply online for authorization. ETIAS is expected to start at the end of 2026 and will cost €20 per person, but will be free for those under 18 or over 70.

Takeaway for Holidaymakers

With summer and beyond holidays huge influx of travelers, the EES test case will be the key indicator of how well the system works. Airlines advise passengers to follow their appointed arrival time and consider early arrival if a delayed return is likely. Immigrant and travel experts warn that holidaymakers should have realistic expectations about how long the biometric checks will take and plan accordingly.