| Re: EU Border control delays - entry / exit system Posted by John D at 08:46, 12th April 2026 |     |
Currently on holiday, and it did cause few minutes delay on arrival whilst did fingerprint scan etc. Maybe 10 minutes in passport queue.
But when got through bags had arrived on carousel. I have been straight through immigration and waited 20 minutes for bags before.
One thing can do, and media doesn't seem to highlight this is previous week, look up arrivals at airport travelling to and see how many non Schengen flights arrive just before yours. Gives you good indication if they will still be processing arrivals from previous flights. (note flight times can vary by day of week so best to check same time previous week)
| EU Border control delays - entry / exit system Posted by grahame at 08:03, 12th April 2026 | |
Media seems "full" of this ... did we have a coffee shop thread wider than just Eurostar?
An example from social media ...
British holidaymakers are being warned to arrive at airports four hours early as new EU border checks cause massive delays across Europe.
The Entry/Exit System, which launched in October and became fully operational across 29 European countries on 10 April, is creating chaos at border control.
The system replaces passport stamps with automated checks that log when you enter and leave European territory.
Because Brits are no longer EU nationals, you now have to register your personal details on your first visit to a Schengen Area country.
This means using EES machines at airports, ferries, and Eurostar terminals to scan your fingerprints and face.
The system was supposed to speed up border checks. Instead, it's causing hours of delays.
Reports from travellers show three-hour waits at Lanzarote Airport in March. Similar delays have been reported in Brussels, Lisbon, and Prague.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has called the system "a shambles" and is demanding a five-month delay to fix the problems before summer.
He says it would make more sense to launch properly in October during the quieter winter schedule instead of right before peak holiday season.
Travel industry experts are warning passengers to add at least four hours to their usual airport arrival time for southern European destinations while the system beds in.
The Home Office claims the checks should only take one to two minutes per person, but admits longer waits are likely during busy periods.
If you're flying to Europe this summer, expect significantly longer waits at passport control both leaving the UK and arriving at your destination.
The Entry/Exit System, which launched in October and became fully operational across 29 European countries on 10 April, is creating chaos at border control.
The system replaces passport stamps with automated checks that log when you enter and leave European territory.
Because Brits are no longer EU nationals, you now have to register your personal details on your first visit to a Schengen Area country.
This means using EES machines at airports, ferries, and Eurostar terminals to scan your fingerprints and face.
The system was supposed to speed up border checks. Instead, it's causing hours of delays.
Reports from travellers show three-hour waits at Lanzarote Airport in March. Similar delays have been reported in Brussels, Lisbon, and Prague.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has called the system "a shambles" and is demanding a five-month delay to fix the problems before summer.
He says it would make more sense to launch properly in October during the quieter winter schedule instead of right before peak holiday season.
Travel industry experts are warning passengers to add at least four hours to their usual airport arrival time for southern European destinations while the system beds in.
The Home Office claims the checks should only take one to two minutes per person, but admits longer waits are likely during busy periods.
If you're flying to Europe this summer, expect significantly longer waits at passport control both leaving the UK and arriving at your destination.
