NEW travel rules for Brits visiting Europe are being rolled out tomorrow, and it includes everything from airports to ferry ports.
The new rules require all non-EU nationals to register their details like fingerprints and facial images before going abroad – but it’s set to cause chaos as some countries aren’t ready.
The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) started a phased rollout on October 12, 2025 in 29 European countries and will be fully operational as of tomorrow – April 10, 2026.
EES is replacing the need for a passport stamp by automatically checking when a person enters and exits an EU country.
Non-EU nationals – which includes Brits – will be required to register their details on their first visit to a Schengen area country.
This is done by using the EES machines at airports, ferry terminals and the Eurostar to log fingerprints, facial images and scan passports.
Up until now, not every traveller has had to register with EES, but from tomorrow, that will change.
Even through the phased process, it hasn’t been smooth, and there have been reports of long queues across Europe with travellers at airports waiting for hours to register with EES.
Travel Reporter Alice Penwill spent three hours getting through the arrivals hall at Lanzarote Airport last month.
And delays have been reported at other airports like Brussels, Lisbon and Prague.
With summer holidays on the horizon and lots more Brits going abroad than off-peak season, officials have even called for the EES to be delayed until later in the year.
Airports Council International, Airlines for Europe and Iata, the airline trade body, have warned about further delays of “four hours or more” during the summer.
Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said told Travel Weekly just two days ago that there are still “significant issues” with EES.
She added: “While we understand the importance of modernising border processes, a smooth rollout must be prioritised in order to avoid major travel chaos at peak periods.
“With very high demand for travel over the upcoming summer holiday period, we are deeply concerned about the impact delays could have at a time when it is vital we maintain high consumer confidence within a travel sector facing global uncertainty and rising costs.”
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary called EES “a shambles” and called for EES to be delayed “for five months” until the end of September to ease congestion.
To avoid the predicted travel chaos, some airports are preparing to open Brit-only border control queues in the hope of easing wait times.
The Spanish operator, Aena, said it would adapt security and border control for Brits at Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca airports.
It’s not just airports, ferry terminals and the Eurostar using EES – but reports state that these will actually miss tomorrow’s deadline.
Visa HQ reported that France’s Ministry of the Interior has postponed full EES checks at border points like the Eurostar terminal in St Pancras and the ports of Dover and Calais.
French authorities said that travellers on Eurostar, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and cross-Channel ferries will not be asked to provide fingerprints or facial images as the technology is not yet in place.
At the Port of Dover, only lorry drivers, coach and foot passengers are registering with EES.
The EES system has been “paused for several weeks” because reportedly, ‘software integration tests failed and physical booth space is still inadequate’.
Here are Sun Travel’s top tips for those heading on holiday this summer and are likely to be caught up in EES chaos…
You might not be able to beat the EES queues – but here are our seven ways to make it a little easier…
- Book a seat at the front of the plane. If you want to get to border control before the rest of the passengers on your flight, then by being at the front, you’ll be able to get off first.
- When you’re booking, it might ease wait times if you go head out on one of the first flights of the day There are generally fewer scheduled flights and they experience less disruption. So if you get an early flight, there’s less likely to be a backlog.
- If you are taking a connecting flight, we’d advise to anticipate delays Of course this varies from airport to airport, but some travellers might find it will take longer to get through because of the EES requirements.
- If you can go to a bigger airport and take a longer road transfer, it could be worth it. At a larger airport there’s likely to be more EES machines than at one of the smaller ones.
- If you have children, or are generally just bored of queues (and who can blame you?) – think about entertainment. It could be worth setting the kids up with an iPad or something that will keep them occupied.
- For those who are disabled, make sure to let the airline know in advance as you would usually. After landing, staff should escort you straight through to the front of border control queues.
- Quite simply, if you are going to be waiting in line for hours, then you want to be comfortable. So before landing, go to the toilet on the plane.
For more on EES and what to expect – hear from our travel expert who will guide you through the registering process.
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