EES Holiday Delays Explained: Why Border Queues May Rise in 2026
The EU is introducing EES in phases, and that gradual start is meant to reduce disruption. Even so, airports and UK-Channel routes still face queue risks during peak holiday travel.
The EU is introducing EES in phases, and that gradual start is meant to reduce disruption. Even so, airports and UK-Channel routes still face queue risks during peak holiday travel.
The EU's Entry/Exit System started a phased rollout on 12 October 2025, introducing biometric checks at Schengen borders for non-EU nationals. Full implementation is expected by April 2026.
Australian travellers are facing new pre-travel requirements for both the United States and Europe. The US Global Entry programme and the EU's ETIAS both require advance authorisation before crossing their respective borders.
ABTA's updated consumer guidance recasts Europe travel as a preparation issue rather than a last-minute border surprise. Its message is that travellers should understand the phased EES rollout now, while remembering that ETIAS is not yet open for applications.
ABTA's Brexit guidance treats travel to the EU as manageable, but more procedural than before. The page pulls together the core checks that now matter most, from passport validity and 90-day limits to insurance, border controls and trip-specific paperwork.
Discover the security procedures and checks that apply to different categories of travellers entering or leaving the Schengen Area, and how systems like EES and ETIAS streamline the process.
From late 2026, non-EU travellers flying to Europe will need an ETIAS travel authorisation before boarding. Learn how the system works at airports, on arrival, and during international transits.
ETIAS is not yet operational, but preparations are underway. Discover the transitional and grace periods that will guide visa-free travellers entering the 30 European countries.
ETIAS and the Entry/Exit System are often discussed together, but they do not do the same job. One is a pre-travel authorisation, while the other is a border registration system used when travellers actually arrive.
Brexit did not end travel between the UK and Europe, but it made it more restrictive, more administrative and often more expensive. British travellers now face tighter passport rules, stay limits, added border friction and fewer of the practical conveniences they once took for granted.