From 12 October, non-EU citizens will need to give fingerprints and a facial scan when crossing into the EU.
Travel experts are warning that the extra checks, combined with the fact most people still don’t know the rules, could create “double red tape” at the border, just as families head off for the busy half-term getaway.
A government survey found that more than two-thirds of UK travellers are unaware of the changes. The risk isn’t just a few extra minutes in the queue; travellers who show up unprepared could cause knock-on delays for hundreds of others, with the potential for missed trains and flights at major hubs like Dover and St Pancras.
Yasmin Peskel, a travel expert at motor yacht company, Blue Cruise, says the October half-term rush is a “ticking clock”: “If airports and ports aren’t fully prepared, and people don’t know what’s expected of them, you’ve got a perfect storm of long queues, confusion, and families missing departures. Awareness is everything right now.”
Three ways to avoid delays under the EES
- Get there earlier than usual – Airlines recommend arriving 2–3 hours before a flight, but with the new EES registration process, adding an extra hour (or more if you’re travelling with children) could save a lot of stress. Border staff and travellers will be adjusting to the system, so queues are expected.
- Keep documents handy – Have your passport ready and be prepared to follow the instructions for the biometric checks. A smooth process for one person helps to keep the whole line moving, while delays from fumbling with paperwork could ripple through the queue.
- Expect more questions – The EES will track a traveller’s 90-day allowance in the EU. Border officers may ask about your trip, accommodation, or how long you plan to stay. Clear, straightforward answers will help keep the process moving.
Yasmin adds: “The EES is a fundamental change to how we enter the EU. If people take it seriously and prepare, they’ll get through it fine. But if they treat it like the old system, the risk of starting your holiday in chaos is very real.”