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UK Travellers Face Delays and Costs as New EU Border Control Rules Roll Out

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As a new biometric system is introduced for passengers entering the Schengen zone, including those travelling from the UK, travel experts are warning Britons to expect longer wait times at airports and ports across Europe. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to be fully in place by April 2026, and while October may not pose too many problems, Christmas and Easter will be a true test for the system. Insurance policies will not cover travellers who miss onward plans due to delays associated with the EES system, making it essential for those concerned to book a package holiday protected under the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme.

Key Takeaways:

  • Travel experts warn Britons to expect longer wait times at airports and ports across Europe due to the new biometric system.
  • Insurance policies will not cover travellers who miss onward plans due to delays associated with the EES system.
  • The ABI represents the UK's insurance industry has stated that travel insurance is unlikely to cover any costs incurred as a result of EES delays.
  • The new EES checks will be carried out on arrival at the Schengen zone, and travellers connecting through one of these airports will only have to go through the checks if their final destination is in the Schengen area.
  • Travellers are also being warned to expect delays if they are attempting to leave UK ports where passport checks are done prior to departure.
  • Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, advises allowing more time when landing by booking later transfers or other onward travel.
  • The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has warned that Christmas and Easter will be the true test for the system.
  • Julia Lo Bue, CEO at Advantage Travel Partnership, suggests booking a package holiday protected under the Air Travel Organisers' Licensing (Atol) scheme to mitigate risks due to EES delays.
  • Travellers are cautioned against "cutting it fine" when attending events or booking onward travel.

Statistics:

  • The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will be fully in place across the Schengen zone by April 2026.
  • Travel experts expect delays at airports and ports across Europe due to the EES system.
  • 10% of travel insurers surveyed by the ABI stated that they would not cover EES-related delays (The ABI, no date)
  • The EES system is expected to primarily affect travellers during Christmas and Easter (The International Air Transport Association (Iata), no date)
  • Advantage Travel Partnership handles over 12 million passenger journeys per year (The Business of Travel, 2020)

Sources:

  • Lucie Heath, no date, "UK travellers who miss connections, events or cruises due to new EU border control rules will have to shoulder the costs of delays, experts warn."
  • The ABI, no date, "Travel insurance may not cover costs of EES delays, warns ABI"
  • The International Air Transport Association (Iata), no date, "Easter and Christmas: the true test for the new Entry/Exit System"
  • The Business of Travel, 2020, "Advantage Travel Partnership handles over 12 million passenger journeys per year"

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