Planning To Visit Europe? New EES Rules Could Mean Hours Of Waiting & Delays At European Airports

Are you planning a trip to Europe this year? If so, be ready to face long queues at European airports, as the new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) is causing severe travel disruptions. Airlines and airports are reporting border waits of up to five to six hours, and naturally, travellers are frustrated. Keep reading to know what’s actually happening.

Europe’s New Border Rules Causing Travel Disruptions

Europe’s long-awaited digital Entry/Exit System (EES) became fully operational in April 2026. The new border rule aims to replace traditional passport stamps with digital registration and biometric data collection of travellers. But the system is now causing chaos at European airports.

According to the Financial Times, the new border checks are leading to queues of up to five to six hours. Passengers from across the world are being left waiting outdoors in frustration. Not just that, but some flights are also reportedly leaving half-full from airports. Airlines and airports have now written to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.

ACI Europe, which represents airports across the region, has suggested an option to suspend checks under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System. The reason? It is the peak summer travel season, and the holidays bring millions of travellers from around the world to Europe’s airports.

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New System Impacting Tourism In Europe

According to the Financial Times, ACI Europe has also warned that the situation could worsen unless the Commission allows airports to opt out of the checks temporarily. Reportedly, the system requires non-EU citizens to register their fingerprints and have a photograph taken at their destination airport.

But the rollout has been problematic, with automated booths and long queues as airports struggle to cope with the extra waiting times. These delays are also affecting tourism in Europe, as many international travellers are avoiding trips because of the excessive border delays. Airports and airlines want the rules to be changed until airports have enough staff to manage the system and the automated kiosks become sufficiently reliable.

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So, if you are planning a trip to Europe, be ready to face long queues at the airports. You wouldn’t want your travel plans to get disrupted, right? So plan and leave for the airport early.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Connor Danylenko (Representative Image)