The Entry/Exit System (EES) will start its roll out this weekend and fliers to popular winter destinations are being warned of increased queues
Holidaymakers heading to the Canary Islands this month are being warned to expect possible longer waits at airports as the new Entry/Exit System (EES) begins its roll-out. From Sunday (October 12), the EES will begin and those travelling to the Schengen Area will need to comply.
It means that people travelling to these areas, which include popular tourist destinations such as the Canaries, Greece, Italy, Malta, Spain and Portugal, will be required to register biometric details for the first time. This includes fingerprints and a photograph upon arrival.
Those flying to the Canary Islands, a popular choice in October during the school holidays, could see longer waiting times with experts saying they could ‘get worse before getting better’.
Nicole Kerr, CEO at Mozio, a ground transportation platform, said: “While the system rolls out, manual passport stamping can still be expected between the launch phase of October 12th, 2025, and April 2026; however, while wait times at passport control are set to be reduced in the future, experts have expressed their concerns for the short term.
“As the system is rolled out and airport staff and travelers familiarise themselves with the new process, longer wait times are to be expected. Travellers to European airports such as Tenerife South and Faro have experienced passport control wait times of up to five hours in 2025, and many experts are predicting that things will get worse before they get better.”
The new system is launching in time for the UK October school holidays which could add to delays for holidaymakers.
Nicole added: “The EES is being rolled out during the winter months, to be up and running before peak travel season in 2026. While many travellers should pass through the new system fairly easily, airports in destinations such as the Canary Islands are expected to see longer queues, due to their popularity amongst Brits in the winter months.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) have also warned passengers should be ‘prepared to wait longer than usual at the border’.
They said: “EES may take each passenger a few extra minutes to complete so be prepared to wait longer than usual at the border once the system starts.”
After the full implementation of the EES – which will be a phased six month roll-out from Sunday until completion by April 10, 2026, it will replace the current system of manually stamping passports at the border.
The new way of entering a country is designed to improve border security within the EU and its neighbouring countries and reduce illegal migration in the Schengen areas.
Nicole said there are some practical steps passengers can take to help to reduce waiting times.
- Arrive at the airport in good time – While long queues have been reported at passport control desks across Europe this summer, the same can be said for security as well. With this in mind, check in online where possible and arrive at the airport at least two hours before your departure, to allow for any delays in the security area.
- Understand how to use e-gates – Queues at passport control are often caused by travelers being unaware of how to use e-gates correctly. Before you arrive at the gate, remove any headwear, sunglasses and headphones. When it’s your turn to use the gate, place your passport on the photo page firmly onto the scanner, using your hand to press it down and look directly at the screen.
- Pre-book airport transfers – People arriving at UK and European airports this year have been met with wait times of over an hour for a taxi. To ensure you arrive at your destination in good time and avoid long taxi queues, pre-book your airport transfer, as this will reassure you that your booking is guaranteed and you won’t be met with any issues arriving at your destination.
