Going to Europe this Easter? Brace yourself for four-hour airport delays

The EU’s new entry and exit system is launching days before the UK half-term (Picture: Metro)

Holidaymakers face airport delays of up to four hours this Easter because of the EU’s new biometric entry and exit checks.

All travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries must be photographed and fingerprinted at EU airports and border points under the new entry and exit system (EES) when it becomes fully operational on April 10.

And the Home Office and travel experts have a message for travellers: allow extra time to arrive on either side of the journey because of predicted queues of up to four hours at the busiest airports.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at Abta, the travel agent and tour operator association, said: ‘What we have said to customers is that, because of the checks, you might need to prepare for delays with extra water and snacks.’

Travellers have already reported queues of up to two hours at passport control since EES started rolling out in some European countries late last year.

But airline groups have warned that these waits could double to four hours as holiday traffic increases over Easter and into the peak summer season.

There are also concerns over IT glitches (remember the Crowdstrike outage), strikes and staff shortages during holiday periods.

The automated biometric passport control entry gates at London Stansted Airport (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The EU has been gradually introducing EES since October last year, replacing physical passport stamps.

These new biometric data checks create a digital record of when non‑EU residents travel to the Schengen area for a short stay (up to 90 days in a rolling 180‑day period) — and when they leave.

The EU says the system has been introduced to strengthen border security and detect overstayers.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is the entry and exit EES system?

The entry and exit system is a digital system that replaces physical passport stamps at border points across the European Union.

People with passports from non-EU countries, including the UK, are required to use the system once it launches.

Full list of the EU and EEA countries where the new entry and exit system will be rolled out (Picture: Metro)

How does the EES system work in the EU?

Most travellers from outside the EU, known as third-country nationals, will be required to register their passport details and biometric data when crossing into an EU country for the first time.

Biometric data includes fingerprints and facial pictures. Borders are likely to be kitted with self-service kiosks where passengers can input this information.

This data, as well as the entry and exit details, will be stored for subsequent visits.

Future visits will only require a verification of the biometric data, which can speed up the process.

Border officials will then also ask extra questions about accommodation, whether travellers have enough money for the trip, insurance and a return ticket.

Children are not exempt from the checks, although children under 12 do not need to give fingerprints; however they will also need to have their face scanned.

Will EES checks happen in the UK?

Usually, the checks will be carried out at the destination airport or port on arrival.

The exceptions are:

Port of Dover St Pancras International Folkestone

Travellers heading to the EU will go through the checks there, as these are dual British and French border locations.

It means you don’t then need to go through the checks again when stepping off the train or ferry on the European mainland.

Exceptionally, EES checks will be carried out at St Pancras International, Folkestone and Port of Dover on UK soil because these locations have a dual British and French border (Picture: Robert White/PA Wire)

The EES border system is separate from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which will be introduced towards the end of 2026.

ETIAS, which is not live yet, means people who are not citizens of an EU or Schengen country will need to apply for it when travelling to the bloc.

It’s not a visa and will not guarantee entry – it’s permission to enter 30 European countries for three years or until the traveller’s passport expires.

When does the EES start?

The new border checks has been rolling out gradually across Europe since the end of 2025. But it becomes fully operational on April 10.

That is just days before the UK school half-term, when tens of thousands of families are set to travel abroad.

What countries will use the new EU entry and exit system?

The new system applies to the 25 EU countries, plus Schengen members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Scroll to the end of this article to see the full list.

Manual passport stamping will still be used in non-Schengen countries such as Ireland and Cyprus.

Who is exempt from the EU entry and exit system?

EU passport holders, including Irish and Cyprus British passport holder with EU residency permit or a long-stay visa Nationals of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and passport holders of the Vatican City State/the Holy See

Why was the EES launch delayed?

In October last year, EU leaders hit pause after concerns that the launch of the untested system could wreak havoc on travel and logistics.

What countries already use biometric border controls?

Many countries have already implemented digital border control checks involving biometric data like the EES.

These include China, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

A version of this article was first published on August 9, 2025 and has been updated.

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