EU Border System Delays Could Disrupt Summer Travel Plans for Houston Craft Beer Lovers Heading to Europe

Holiday travelers from Houston and across Texas planning European getaways this summer are being warned to prepare for extended airport queues due to the EU's new digital border control system — timing that could impact craft beer enthusiasts looking to explore independent breweries and beer culture across the continent.

The Entry/Exit System, or "EES", represents the first major summer peak period since its introduction. It requires UK travelers to register fingerprints and a photo alongside a passport scan when entering the Schengen free movement zone, which covers 29 European countries.

"Third country" nationals — including UK citizens — must provide biometric data at automated kiosks upon arrival at popular destinations including France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Some passengers, including children under 12, have their passport checked by border staff instead. The information is verified when travelers leave.

EES began rolling out in October and is now fully operational. The time required to register biometric information has prompted authorities to warn travelers to prepare for significant waits at border controls. During the introductory period, queues flared up at certain airports during peak times. Performance has been mixed since then — the system has worked well at some airports, while waits of several hours have been reported elsewhere.

A representative of airline trade body IATA has warned queues in some places could be as long as six hours. Travel experts and industry figures have blamed problems with the technology and border staffing levels, with reports of passengers having to register their biometric information more than once.

The UK boss of Wizz Air told the BBC passengers should be prepared for a wait and turn up three hours before their flight home. Some passengers have already missed flights home because EES check waits prevented them from reaching their gates in time. Whether airlines will hold flights for delayed passengers remains inconsistent — some say they will wait wherever possible, while carriers like Ryanair have said they will not.

The summer holidays will provide a significant test of the new system. Greece is not applying the biometric checks to British visitors over the peak period. The European Commission is allowing the system to be suspended in "exceptional circumstances that lead to excessive waiting times", until September. Portugal has announced hundreds of extra border staff for July, while other airports are planning improvements in areas that experienced the worst queues.

Airports advise passengers to follow their airline's guidance regarding departure times.

At ferry and rail crossings — including Dover's ferry port, Eurotunnel's Folkestone terminal, and Eurostar's St Pancras rail terminus — automated EES machines have been in place for months but are not yet in routine use. Border staff are handling parts of the process instead. At Dover, despite fingerprints and photos not yet being collected, long queues of cars built up at the start of May half-term holidays, prompting French border authorities to suspend the process temporarily. Coaches will be sealed after passengers complete EES checks before driving to the ferry terminal.

A mobile phone app has been developed to enable passengers to complete part of the process before reaching the border. Currently, only Sweden and Portugal are using it — Sweden for passport data and photo registration, and Portugal only for an entry questionnaire.

The EU is also introducing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a visa waiver system linked to passports that will build on EES. Citizens of non-EU countries without visa requirements — including UK citizens — will be able to apply online for authorization before travel. ETIAS is scheduled to begin at the end of 2026, though the final date has not been confirmed. Applications will cost €20 (£17.47) and remain valid for three years. Applicants aged under 18 and over 70 will need to apply but will not have to pay.