EU countries have refused to give the UK more detail on their new border scheme (Image: Getty)
EU countries have refused to say whether they are introducing a new border system that could leave British holidaymakers facing huge airport delays. The Home Office had asked for a list of airports that will introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires passengers to have their passports scanned and their fingerprints and photographs taken.
But with less than 48 hours to go before the new rules come into place, Brussels and EU member states have refused to provide a definitive list, leaving the UK in the dark over potentially huge delays for travellers. The UK does not know how many airports will be introducing the new checks on Sunday, the Daily Express understands. From Sunday, British passport holders will need to register on their first visit to an EU country.
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Officials are seemingly relying on piecing together potential flashpoints from media reports and conversations with some Governments.
Three countries – Estonia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic – say they will be operating the entry-exit system for all arrivals and departures from day one, 12 October 2025.
Germany will begin with a single airport – Dusseldorf, while Norway will introduce new checks at Oslo.
Spain, the most popular nation for British holidaymakers, will initially only test the EES with a single flight arriving at Madrid airport on the first day of the system.
It is not clear when other major air gateways, including Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga and Tenerife, as well as Palma, will follow.
Officials do not believe there is a fractious relationship with EU countries and stressed the gradual rollout of the scheme will help airlines and the Home Office identify potential crises.
Minister for border security and asylum, Alex Norris, said: “We recognise that EES checks will be a significant change for British travellers, which is why we have worked closely with our European partners to ensure the rollout goes as smoothly as possible.
“The UK and EU have a shared objective of securing our borders, and these modernisation measures will help us protect our citizens and prevent illegal migration.”
Minister for aviation, maritime and decarbonisation, Keir Mather, said: “We’ve backed our ports and operators with £10.5million to help them get ready for the EU’s new Entry/Exit System, ensuring they have the infrastructure and systems in place to manage the changes.
“Our priority is to minimise disruption for travellers and hauliers, particularly at our busiest border crossings. We’ll continue working closely with European partners and local resilience forums to keep traffic flowing and journeys smooth.”
For travellers using the Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or Eurostar at St Pancras International, the process will take place at the border before they leave the UK.
Delays are also being anticipated for Eurotunnel, Eurostar and Port of Dover passengers.
The EU has introduced EES to replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens, helping them to track compliance with the 90-day visa-free travel rule and strengthen their border control.
Children under 12 will not be fingerprinted but under the new EU rules, all travellers, including babies, will be photographed and have digital records created.
The introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit System has triggered fresh concerns among British travellers, with industry leaders warning that the practical impact of the new checks could become clearer only once millions of passengers begin using the system.
Airlines, ferry operators and tourism groups have urged passengers to arrive earlier than usual, particularly during busy holiday periods, as border authorities adjust to the additional biometric requirements. While the EU insists the long-term aim is to make borders more secure and efficient, there are fears the initial rollout could create bottlenecks at some of Europe’s busiest transport hubs.
The uncertainty over which airports will be ready on day one has caused frustration among travel operators, who argue that clearer communication would have allowed them to better prepare passengers and staff. Some industry figures have warned that a lack of coordination between different EU member states could result in inconsistent experiences for British visitors travelling between countries.
Aviation analysts said the biggest challenge will be managing the first-time registration process, as every eligible traveller must have their photograph and fingerprints recorded before their movements can be tracked digitally. Unlike traditional passport checks, which can often be completed within seconds, the new process requires additional steps that could slow queues, particularly when large numbers of passengers arrive at the same time.
The changes are expected to have the greatest impact at major holiday destinations popular with British tourists. Airports in Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and Greece could face significant pressure during peak summer travel periods, when thousands of UK passengers arrive daily.
Travel experts have advised holidaymakers not to panic but to plan ahead by checking airport guidance, allowing extra time for journeys and ensuring passports remain valid. They have also warned that passengers who fail to complete the required registration process could face delays or additional questioning at the border.
The Government has said it will continue working with European partners to monitor the rollout and respond to any problems. However, critics argue that the uncertainty highlights the difficulties created by Britain’s new relationship with the EU after Brexit.
Some Conservative MPs claimed the situation showed British travellers were now facing additional bureaucracy that did not exist when the UK was part of the European Union’s free movement system. They argued that the Government should have secured stronger guarantees to reduce disruption for British citizens visiting Europe.
Supporters of closer cooperation with Brussels, however, said the new system was a necessary modernisation of border security and that similar requirements already apply to travellers entering many countries outside Europe. They argued that once the initial transition period is complete, automated checks and digital records could eventually make border crossings faster and more secure.
The European Commission has maintained that the Entry/Exit System is designed to improve security, prevent overstaying and provide a clearer picture of who enters and leaves the Schengen area. Officials have said the phased introduction is intended to avoid major disruption and allow countries to resolve technical problems before the system becomes fully operational.
For millions of Britons planning holidays in Europe, the biggest question remains how smoothly the new rules will work in practice. With uncertainty still surrounding airport readiness and passenger processing times, travellers are being warned that patience may be required during the early months of the new border regime.