The European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) has caused major travel disruptions across European airports, and a travel expert has issued three key checks every traveller should do
A travel expert has advised on three vital checks Brits should do before heading to the airport(Image: Getty Images/Stock Photo)
A travel expert said there are three key checks every holidaymaker should make before heading to the airport, following the new EU rules.
As of April 10, 2025, the European Union’s (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES) was fully implemented across European airports. It requires all Brits travelling to the Schengen area to “create a digital record” and register their biometric details, such as fingerprints and a photograph.
The new digital border system has replaced manual passport stamping, and after the initial registration, the EES remains valid for three years. While it’s only needed for the first arrival at the airport border in the Schengen area, it’s caused major travel chaos as thousands of British holidaymakers register with the new system, leading to significant queues and delays of up to four hours across European airports.
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Adam Edinburgh, Head of Travel and New Products at Post Office Insurance, told the Mirror: “Passengers may be impacted by facing longer queues initially due to biometric data collection, a process expected to take several minutes per person.
“Passengers should be encouraged to plan contingency options if travelling on a tight schedule (alternative routes or transport), as any teething problems or incomplete information could cause delays to miss flights, ferries, or connections.”
The travel expert also outlined three vital checks that Brits should do before heading to the airport, in a bid to make their journey as smooth as possible following the rollout of the EES. He advised:
- “Check your passport expiry date (must be valid for at least 3 months after your trip for EU countries)
- “Know your entry airport’s EES setup (expect biometric checks)
- “Keep essential travel documents easily accessible, including passports, travel insurance, accommodation confirmation, and proof of onward or return travel.”
Explaining exactly how the EES works, Adam said: “Travellers entering for the first time will undergo biometric registration at border kiosks or e-gates. This includes the system capturing a facial image, fingerprints (if visa-exempt), passport details, and entry/exit information.
“For subsequent visits, the process will be faster due to the data already being stored. It’s important to note that no pre-registration is required – registration happens at the border during your first entry. “
Countries in the Schengen area include: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The EES system is not required for travel into the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus, as they are not within the Schengen area, and Greece has relaxed its EU requirements for Brits, ditching the need for biometric details.
For travel insurance before your next trip, visit the Post Office website. Or visit the government website for more information on the new EES system.
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