Delays are expected upon arrival at airports and ports across the EU as a new passport check system is rolled out
Environment Correspondent
UK travellers who miss connections, events or cruises due to new EU border control rules will have to shoulder the costs of delays, experts warn.
Long queues are expected at airports and ports across the EU as a new biometric system is rolled out for passengers entering the Schengen zone, including those travelling from the UK.
Airports in countries including Germany, Greece and Portugal introduced checks under the new Entry/Exit System (EES) on Sunday. The system will be fully in place across the Schengen zone by 9 April, 2026
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Travel experts are telling Britons to expect to spend longer at border control in the upcoming months and have warned against “cutting it fine” when attending events or booking onward travel.
Julia Lo Bue, CEO at Advantage Travel Partnership, a consortium of travel agents, said insurance policies won’t cover travellers who miss onward plans as a result of delays associated with the EES system.
“If you’re delayed for any reason and you’ve booked it all independently you have no recourse, not even insurance,” she said.
Lo Bue advised those concerned to book a package holiday protected under the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme. Customers who book an ATOL package are entitled to alternative accommodation or transport if they miss connections through no fault of their own.
She said those who may be affected include anyone going on a cruise, or those who have booked travel to attend a concert or a wedding.
Travellers should “make sure they are giving themselves adequate time and not really cutting it fine because we just don’t know what to expect right now,” she said.
The ABI, which represents the UK’s insurance industry, said travel insurance was unlikely to cover any costs incurred as a result of EES delays.
The new EES checks will be carried out on arrival at the Schengen zone. Travellers connecting through one of these airports will only have to go through the checks if their final destination is in the Schengen area.
Travellers are also being warned to expect delays if they are attempting to leave UK ports where passport checks are done prior to departure.
Rory Boland, Editor of Which? Travel advised “allowing more time when you land by booking later transfers or other onward travel”.
He added: “The new Entry-Exit System may make holidaymakers feel apprehensive but you should be assured that there is no advance registration or paperwork needed before you travel. You don’t need to do anything apart from checking your passport validity and that you’re following the 90/180-day Schengen rule.”
October is not expected to pose too many problems for travellers as the EES is only being rolled out a handful of locations to begin with.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned Christmas and Easter will be the true test for the system.
A spokesperson said: “The public campaign has not been that strong. I don’t know how well the public are being informed. There’s a slight element of fingers crossed. There’s the potential for things to go wrong.”