Britons traveling to Europe are facing extensive airport queues, leading to missed flights as the implementation of new border checks causes disruptions throughout the European Union. Travelers have expressed frustration online as they find themselves stranded in crowded terminals while attempting to enter or exit countries within the Schengen zone. What was intended to be a relaxing vacation quickly turned into a stressful experience due to long waits at passport control.
One Facebook user, Clarissa Ward, shared her ordeal after enduring what she described as the “longest line” of her life, witnessing numerous individuals, including elderly people and families with young children, missing connections and flights due to the delays. She mentioned that only TAP (Portugal’s main airline) passengers were allowed to cut the line if they were on the brink of missing their flight, leaving others struggling with the situation. Similar scenarios have been observed in various European cities since the delayed rollout began in October.
Another Facebook user, Craig Hackett, narrated arriving three hours early for departure, only to encounter an enormous queue just to reach the boarding gate. Despite checking their bag promptly, Hackett and several other passengers missed their flight due to the lack of prioritization for those at risk of missing flights and the absence of assistance from airport staff or airline representatives.
The delays stem from the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which commenced on October 12, 2025. This system mandates non-EU travelers, including British citizens, to register fingerprints and undergo facial recognition when entering or leaving the Schengen area. The Schengen zone, comprising 29 European countries, is renowned as the world’s largest free-travel region, with EU officials emphasizing that the new checks aim to bolster border security and curb illegal migration.
In response to the substantial delays, airlines have taken to social media to call on governments to halt the new Entry/Exit system (EES). Ryanair, for instance, urged the Portuguese Government to suspend the EES until after the peak summer season, citing excessive wait times at border controls in Lisbon compared to the airline’s average flight duration. Airlines like Ryanair are advocating for the suspension of the EES to prevent prolonged border control queues at Portuguese airports during peak travel seasons.