EU Entry-Exit System delays: industry seeks changes after queues

Passport queues at European airports reached up to five hours at their summer peak and still routinely exceed two hours in some places, according to ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe (A4E). In a joint statement the two groups called for changes to the EU Entry-Exit System (EES). The EU Entry-Exit System airport delays matter to UK travellers because the biometric checks apply to non-EU nationals on short stays.

Abta, the UK travel association, separately urged the European Commission to extend contingency measures into 2027. Its own survey found most travellers had not faced long waits, so the evidence points to severe delays at particular times and places rather than everywhere.

What the figures show about EES biometric scanner queues in Europe

Abta’s latest Holiday Habits survey, of more than 2,000 respondents, was presented at its convention in Madeira. It found that 46% of travellers to Europe had been through EES. Of those, 50% reported queues under 30 minutes and 87% spent under an hour in lines, while about eight in ten said it caused no knock-on problems for their trip. Six per cent said the process made them much less likely to travel to the EU.

As an illustration, take 100 UK travellers to Europe. On Abta’s figures, about 46 would have been checked. Around 23 of those would have waited under half an hour, about 40 under an hour, and roughly six an hour or longer. This is our arithmetic, assuming the percentages apply to the 46% who went through EES.

What industry groups want changed

ACI Europe and A4E said staffing at border controls is insufficient, the IT systems behind EES are unstable, self-service kiosks and automated gates are little used, and the Travel to Europe pre-registration app falls short. Their directors, Olivier Jankovec and Ourania Georgoutsakou, said: “This is no longer a teething problem, nor can passengers, airports and airlines keep paying the price for avoidable disruption.”

The groups set out a six-point plan. It includes removing double verification, preventing duplicate EES profiles, upgrading the app and allowing biometric registration to be paused when waits become excessive. Ryanair has also asked for the flexibility rule to run until early 2027.

Abta’s Luke Petherbridge said: “You cannot roll this out fully until it is stable and efficient, because we don’t want to see people being deterred.” He also called for better triaging of already-registered travellers and an app that lets some checks happen before arrival.

What happens next for autumn and winter trips

The Independent reported that countries could suspend EES temporarily until September 2026. It also reported that at least nine countries delayed full implementation beyond the early September deadline: France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Malta, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland. Frontex deputy executive director Uku Särekanno said earlier this year there was “no intention” to ease the rules further after the summer. Money-tourism.gr reported that the Commission will not launch infringement proceedings against states that limit checks until the end of the year. No decision on 2027 has been reported.

It is unclear which airports used the flexibility or when. The Independent cited BBC News reporting that Portuguese airports including Lisbon, Faro and Porto had been using it. None of the sources gives guidance specific to half-term or Christmas, so the practical advice is ours. Check your airline’s and airport’s guidance before you travel, and allow extra time at departure and arrival.

The separate Etias waiver, which will cost €20 (£17), has no launch date. Abta says Britons should not apply now, because more than 150 unofficial websites already exist.

Your questions answered

What are the new passport controls in Europe?

EES records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals on short stays in participating countries. It uses facial images, fingerprints and travel document details to register crossings and identify overstays, according to Airport Industry-News.

Why is EES causing delays?

ACI Europe and A4E point to too few border staff, unstable IT, limited use of kiosks and automated gates, and shortcomings in the pre-registration app. Abta says the system must become stable and efficient before it is fully enforced.

Do I need EES to go to Europe?

You do not apply for EES in advance. UK travellers are registered at the border on first entry, unless a country has suspended checks because of queues. Etias is a separate waiver and is not yet in force.