UK holidaymakers could face queues of up to three hours due to the European Union’s entry-exit system (EES), which came into force last October and ramped up in April.
The EES requires travellers from third countries, including the UK, to have their fingerprints and photographs taken before entering the Schengen Area.
A recent survey commissioned by Booking.com revealed that 59% of UK travellers expected delays, with almost half fearing they could miss their flights.
May half-term travel warning amid border delays at airports
Ryan Pearson, regional manager for the UK and Ireland at Booking.com, said: “May half-term is a key moment in the travel calendar, and we know many people are feeling anxious about how the new entry-exit system could impact their trip.
“We want to help travellers feel informed and prepared before they leave, whether that’s checking travel documents in advance or packing the right essentials in hand luggage in case of longer queues.
“Changes to the way we travel can understandably feel daunting, but we’re already seeing that many journeys are running smoothly. The key is preparation.”
Airports Council International has reported delays of up to three hours at some European airports, including those in Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy.
EES related chaos at Lisbon Airport today.
Two hour queues with around five officers letting through more than 300 passengers. Tempers fraying.
Unlike Greece, Portugal does not plan on exempting British nationals from the checks.
It is going to be a long summer for them… pic.twitter.com/W2mV8gnJcn
— Laurence Sleator (@laurencesleator) May 8, 2026
In one incident last month, more than 100 easyJet passengers missed a flight from Milan Linate to Manchester due to passport control delays linked to the EES.
Booking.com’s survey also found that 56% of UK travellers planned to arrive at the airport earlier than usual to avoid disruption, with one in eight intending to arrive at least four hours before departure.
More than half (52%) of travellers who have visited the EU since the EES rollout reported experiencing delays, while 43% said their journeys were unaffected.
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Booking.com advised families travelling during the May half-term to double-check passport validity and keep essentials like medication and a phone charger in hand luggage.
The system has affected travel habits, with a surge in demand for holidays to Greece after the country announced it would not implement EES checks for UK travellers this summer.
Advantage Travel Partnership reported that Greece’s share of UK holiday bookings rose from 7.7% in mid-April to nearly 10% by the end of the month.
Have you got a holiday planned during the May half-term? Let us know in the comments below.
