Vacationers face lengthy queues at passport management as new EU entry system rolls out Credit score: Nigel J. Harris, Shutterstock
After the EU’s new entry-exit system went reside, vacationers to and from Spain are dealing with lengthy queues at airports and even lacking their flights, with delays of as much as three hours already being reported at some airports.
The system will change into absolutely operational on April 10, 2026, and digital checks will exchange passport stamps for non-EU guests. It’s designed to modernize border controls, however the first few days have proven how lengthy the method can take, particularly throughout busy instances.
Anybody touring from the UK or different non-EU nations will likely be most affected. Passport checks, which was once fast, now take for much longer, with traces forming shortly as passengers cross by means of the brand new system for the primary time.
Why the EU’s new system is inflicting lengthy queues at airports
The immigration system has launched a number of further steps on the border, every of which is comparatively fast in itself, however the affect is even larger when giant numbers of passengers arrive on the similar time.
As a substitute of a easy passport stamp, vacationers could have to endure passport scanning, facial recognition, or fingerprint registration, particularly on their first journey beneath the brand new system.
On paper, every step takes a small period of time. In actuality, delays start to happen when all passengers have to finish the method. Studies on the primary day mentioned traces at some airports stretched for hours, inflicting some vacationers to overlook their flights.
Airport and airline teams have already raised considerations, warning that the system is placing strain on border controls simply as demand for journey is beginning to decide up once more.
EES suspension creates additional anxiousness for vacationers
Stress elevated over the weekend after studies of server overloads briefly affected new methods at Paris-Charles de Gaulle and different main hubs.
European border authorities suggested vacationers to hold printed copies of vital paperwork equivalent to visas, boarding passes and resort confirmations in case digital methods change into unavailable.
The system shops facial photos, fingerprints and journey information of non-EU vacationers coming into and exiting the Schengen space, so any technical issues might considerably delay inspections. If the system goes down, border officers could have to manually confirm journey particulars.
This might trigger important delays, significantly for vacationers touring beneath the 180-90 day rule, together with many UK passengers.
The warning additionally highlighted a rising downside. At present, many vacationers rely totally on digital paperwork saved on their cell phones, however accessing them can change into tough if a system failure or web connection is interrupted.
What’s modified for UK vacationers heading to Spain
Since Brexit, UK vacationers are now not handled as EU nationals when coming into Spain and different Schengen nations. This implies these corporations will likely be absolutely topic to those new checks.
If you’re touring beneath the brand new system for the primary time, the method could take longer than anticipated. Passengers may very well be requested to supply facial photos, fingerprints and passport particulars earlier than passing by means of border controls.
When you register, your info is already saved within the system, which ought to make your future journeys quicker. Nevertheless, at the moment most delays happen throughout this primary stage.
The system additionally routinely information entry and exit dates, changing passport stamps and facilitating the enforcement of 90-day keep restrictions.
Strains, canceled flights, strain on airports
The early levels of the rollout have already prompted disruption at a number of European airports, together with these certain for Spain, the place giant numbers of worldwide vacationers cross by means of.
Studies of lengthy traces and canceled flights have raised considerations amongst airport operators, particularly because the summer time journey season approaches.
Some trade teams have warned that delays might change into tougher to handle if passenger numbers proceed to rise, and are calling for extra flexibility in how the system is utilized throughout peak hours.
What vacationers ought to do now to keep away from delays
For now, the most secure strategy is to plan forward and permit additional time on the airport.
Passengers touring from the UK or different non-EU nations ought to take into account arriving sooner than traditional, particularly throughout busy journey durations. In some instances, arriving at the least three hours earlier than departure can cut back the chance of lacking your flight.
It is also a good suggestion to examine your airline’s steering earlier than touring, as some airways are already advising passengers to regulate their arrival instances.
Vacationers with connecting flights ought to permit additional time between connections, as delays at border crossings can go away little time to catch the subsequent flight.
It is also value carrying printed copies of vital journey paperwork, together with boarding passes and lodging particulars, in case digital methods aren’t accessible.
Will the scenario enhance over time?
Officers count on the scenario to enhance because the system turns into extra established. As soon as vacationers full their preliminary registration, future journeys needs to be quicker and extra environment friendly.
Nevertheless, early indications point out that the transition interval could take time and that each airports and passengers might want to adapt.
With the summer time season quick approaching, vacationers heading to Spain ought to put together for a distinct airport expertise in the intervening time, and are more likely to expertise longer wait instances at border controls within the quick time period.
