Long queues and travel disruptions have hit European airports after the EU launched its automated Entry Exit System on May 29, 2026, aviation officials and airport trade bodies reported.
The digital border scheme replaces passport stamps with biometric registration, requiring non-EU travelers to provide fingerprints and facial scans at self-service kiosks when entering the Schengen zone.
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ACI Europe surveyed 45 airports across 20 EU states on May 26, 2026, finding that border control queues have reached up to three and a half hours during peak times.
Airlines and travel agencies report that the delays have caused many passengers to miss return or connecting flights, with airport representatives warning the situation could worsen as summer passenger numbers rise.
Budget carrier Wizz Air has adjusted its guidance, advising British holidaymakers to arrive at European airports three hours before departure instead of the standard two hours.
"When you land in the destination airport, there might be queues, so you should bring a portable charger or water," said Yvonne Moynihan, Chief Executive of Wizz Air UK.
Moynihan noted that while some travel has been smooth, long waits are concentrated at popular holiday destinations such as Spain, Portugal, and France.
"Because there is another passport check... that's where we see that people have, again, experienced longer waiting times than anticipated," she said.
Despite the disruption, the carrier reported strong summer demand and said suppliers have adapted to avoid potential schedule cuts or fuel shortages from geopolitical tensions.
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European border officials can temporarily suspend biometric checks during exceptional circumstances to ease gridlock, a measure already used at the Port of Dover where technical issues sidelined 84 self-service machines.
The European Commission stated the system is operating effectively at nearly all border points and reminded member states to deploy sufficient border guards.
Greece remains the only EU member to fully suspend biometric registration for UK passport holders, a policy that travel operators say has driven a surge in last-minute holiday bookings to the country.
Travel experts advise international passengers heading to Europe to allow a two- to three-hour layover for connecting flights and prepare for longer processing at all entry and exit hubs.
"The days of getting a passport stamp, especially in Europe, are pretty much gone," said travel expert Tomeka Jones.
Some travelers are shifting preferences toward alternative European destinations like Gothenburg, Hamburg, and Kufstein to avoid crowds and high prices in major capitals.
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"You can get the Scandinavian experience without paying higher prices you often find in places like Copenhagen or Stockholm," Jones added.
