Long queues at passport control are becoming a growing concern for British holidaymakers travelling to the EU, with some waits now tripling in time. The introduction of the new EU Entry-Exit System (EES), which requires non-EU nationals including UK citizens to register their fingerprints and have a photograph taken upon entry, has significantly increased waiting times.
Rome's Fiumicino airport's Chief Aviation Officer Ivan Bassato estimates that average wait times for British travellers have risen from seven minutes to 20 minutes. Despite the integration of self-service biometric kiosks and e-gates, which Mr Bassato admits have improved things, he believes more needs to be done to address certain aspects of the system.
Airlines have responded by warning passengers to plan ahead. Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, has advised UK nationals to arrive at European airports three hours before their scheduled departure for flights home, up from the usual two-hour arrival time.
However, not all EU countries are opposed to the new system. France's Ministry of the Interior has praised its effectiveness, citing over 110 million entries and exits recorded since its launch on 12 October 2025, alongside more than 44,000 entry refusals, including over 1,100 concerning individuals deemed a threat to internal security.
Practical Advice for UK Travellers
UK travellers planning trips to popular destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, and Greece should be prepared for potential delays at border control. While there are no new visa requirements for short tourist stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) in the Schengen Area, the biometric registration process under EES is mandatory for all non-EU citizens.