Europe Travel Chaos Deepens For British Tourists As New EU Entry Exit System Triggers Airport Queues, Missed Flights And Major Border Delays Across Spain, Italy, France And More – Everything YouNeed to Know

Written By: Pappu Mazumder

Pappu Mazumder

I bring a journalist’s perspective to the travel and tourism industry, contributing to Travel and Tour World through engaging storytelling, industry insights, and creative ideas. I focus on exploring emerging trends, highlighting key developments, and sharing meaningful stories that connect the global travel community while inspiring curiosity, innovation, and discovery.

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July 26, 2026 23:51 GMT+5:30

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British tourists travelling to Europe are facing longer airport queues, slower border checks and increased risk of missed flights as the new European Union Entry/Exit System (EES) begins transforming how travellers enter and leave the Schengen Area. The digital border system requires UK passport holders to complete biometric registration, including fingerprint scans and facial images, creating additional processing time at busy airports across Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Germany and other European destinations.

The introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System has already created disruption at several major transport hubs, with some passengers reporting long waiting times during immigration procedures. In one major incident, more than 100 passengers missed an easyJet flight from Milan to Manchester after being delayed by border queues linked to the new system.

The growing delays have prompted airlines, including Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, to advise passengers to arrive earlier than usual at airports to avoid missing departures. The airline has warned travellers that additional time may be required because the new biometric checks are adding extra steps to airport procedures.

EU Entry Exit System Changes Travel Rules For Millions Of British Visitors Heading To Schengen Countries

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) represents one of the biggest changes to European border management in recent years. The system replaces traditional passport stamping with a digital record of travellers entering and leaving the Schengen Area.

Under the new process, British tourists and other non-EU travellers must provide biometric information when crossing external Schengen borders. This includes taking a digital photograph and registering fingerprints during border checks.

The system applies across the 29 Schengen Area countries, including popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Germany. The aim is to improve border security, prevent overstaying and create a more modern digital immigration system.

However, the transition has created operational challenges at some airports. Unlike previous passport checks, travellers now require additional processing time, especially during peak holiday periods when thousands of passengers arrive and depart within short periods.

The delays are affecting both arrival and departure journeys because passengers must complete border procedures when entering and leaving the Schengen Zone. This has created concerns among holidaymakers travelling during busy summer seasons when airports are already operating at high capacity.

Spain Italy France Portugal And Germany Airports Face Growing Pressure From New Digital Border Checks

Several European airports have experienced greater pressure since the introduction of the EES system, with passenger congestion reported at some of the busiest tourist gateways.

Travel research has identified several airports where travellers have experienced significant frustration due to longer waiting times. The affected airports include major holiday destinations serving millions of British visitors every year.

The airports highlighted as facing stronger EES-related pressure include:

• Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport, Spain
• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Netherlands
• Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Germany
• Kraków Airport, Poland
• Humberto Delgado Airport, Lisbon, Portugal
• Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, Spain
• Milan Bergamo Airport, Italy
• Milan Linate Airport, Italy
• Palma de Mallorca Airport, Spain
• Paris Beauvais Airport, France
• Tenerife South Airport, Spain

These airports are located in some of Europe’s most popular tourism markets, particularly Spain, Italy and Portugal, which attract millions of British holidaymakers every year.

The pressure has been especially noticeable at airports serving beach destinations such as Alicante, Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife, where passenger numbers increase significantly during summer travel periods.

Ryanair Warns Passengers About Worst Affected European Airports As EES Delays Continue

Ryanair has issued additional warnings to passengers travelling through several airports where it expects the biggest impact from the new border system.

The airline has highlighted a number of airports where travellers should allow extra time before departure because of possible EES-related queues.

Ryanair’s list of airports facing higher pressure includes:

• Lisbon Airport, Portugal
• Tenerife South Airport, Spain
• Madrid Airport, Spain
• Lanzarote Airport, Spain
• Alicante Airport, Spain
• Málaga Airport, Spain
• Milan Bergamo Airport, Italy
• Milan Malpensa Airport, Italy
• Verona Airport, Italy
• Paris Beauvais Airport, France
• Berlin Airport, Germany
• Cologne Airport, Germany
• Frankfurt Hahn Airport, Germany
• Kraków Airport, Poland
• Budapest Airport, Hungary

These airports handle large numbers of international travellers, including thousands of passengers from the United Kingdom every week.

Airlines are encouraging passengers to check airport guidance before travelling, arrive earlier than normal and prepare required travel documents before reaching border control areas.

European Commission Says Airport Disruption Remains Limited As Countries Adjust To New System

The European Commission has stated that disruption across most European airports remains limited and that member countries are receiving support during the implementation phase of the new digital border system.

Authorities are working to improve passenger flow, increase operational capacity and ensure airports can manage the additional biometric requirements.

Some airports have also received permission to temporarily delay or adjust the implementation of certain elements of the system where serious congestion risks have appeared.

The long-term objective of the EES system is to create a faster, safer and more efficient border process once passengers and authorities become familiar with the technology.

However, during the early stages, airports must manage the challenge of introducing new procedures while handling millions of international passengers.

British Tourists Must Understand Where EU Entry Exit System Applies Before Planning European Trips

The EU Entry/Exit System does not apply to every European country. The system only affects destinations inside the Schengen Area.

Although Ireland and Cyprus are members of the European Union, they are not currently part of the Schengen Area, meaning airports in these countries are not affected by the new border process.

For British travellers, understanding the difference between EU membership and Schengen membership is becoming increasingly important.

Popular destinations affected by the new system include:

• Spain
• France
• Italy
• Portugal
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Greece
• Poland
• Austria
• Switzerland

Travellers heading to these countries should prepare for possible additional waiting times, especially during peak holiday periods.

How British Travellers Can Avoid Delays Under The New EU Digital Border System

Passengers can reduce disruption by planning ahead before arriving at European airports.

Travellers should arrive earlier than usual, especially when flying from busy airports affected by EES delays. Preparing passports, travel documents and flight information before reaching immigration areas can also help speed up the process.

Holidaymakers should also avoid arriving close to departure deadlines because unexpected queues could lead to missed flights.

The introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System marks a major shift in European travel procedures. While the system is designed to improve security and create smoother future border management, the early transition period is creating challenges for millions of visitors.

For British tourists, staying informed about affected airports and allowing extra time remains the best way to avoid travel disruption while Europe adapts to its new digital border era.