British holidaymakers heading to Europe are being urged to brace for long queues at airports and ports as the European Union’s new Entry Exit System (EES) comes into effect.
The digital border scheme, which will apply to 29 European countries, requires travellers from non-EU nations such as the UK to have their fingerprints and photograph taken before entering the Schengen area. The move marks the biggest change to EU border procedures in decades and is expected to cause disruption during its rollout.
Travel industry experts are warning of significant waiting times as staff adjust to the new checks. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, said major airports in southern Europe could see queues stretching up to four hours while border teams familiarise themselves with the process.
“For major airports in southern Europe, we recommend that travellers now allocate four hours for navigating the new system in these initial stages,” she said, warning that “delays should be anticipated” when several flights arrive at the same time.
UK travellers using Eurostar services from London’s St Pancras station, the Port of Dover, and Eurotunnel’s Folkestone terminal will complete their EES registration in the UK before boarding. New self-service kiosks have been installed at these sites, though only a limited number of passengers will be required to use them during the system’s early phase.
The EU plans to introduce EES gradually, with member states initially using it for only part of their arrivals. The system will become mandatory for all participating countries by April 10 next year.
The EES replaces traditional passport stamping for visitors from outside the EU, automatically recording entry and exit data to improve border security and prevent overstays. But while the long-term goal is a more efficient travel experience, officials expect the first few months to bring widespread congestion at airports and ports across Europe.
With the busy winter travel season approaching, British tourists are being advised to allow extra time for border checks, particularly at popular destinations such as Sp
