EU Countries Urge Brussels to Ease Post-Brexit Border Checks Amid Summer Chaos

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 10, 2026

Nine EU member states, including Germany and France, have urged the European Commission to relax post-Brexit border controls under the Entry-Exit System to prevent severe travel delays ahead of the summer holiday season. They warn that without extending reduced controls beyond September 6, long queues and disruptions may worsen, impacting millions of travelers and airlines.

Nine European Union member states have called on the European Commission to ease the implementation of post-Brexit border controls, warning that the current system risks causing significant travel disruptions during the upcoming summer holiday season. The letter, addressed to European Commission official Magnus Brunner, highlights concerns over the Entry-Exit System (EES), which has been associated with long queues and delays at EU external borders since its introduction in April.

The countries signing the letter include Germany and France—the EU's two largest economies—alongside Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, and Portugal. These nations cited “significant difficulties” experienced during the rollout of the EES and urged the Commission to extend the suspension period allowing for reduced controls beyond the current September 6 deadline in order to prevent further bottlenecks.

The Entry-Exit System requires non-EU visitors, including British nationals, to submit biometric data such as fingerprints and a photograph upon entering the EU. While the system is designed to enhance border security, first-time travellers are subject to longer processing times, as registrations must be completed. Recent weeks have seen reports of extensive queues, with some travellers facing wait times exceeding five hours.

Kenton Jarvis, chief executive of the airline EasyJet, characterized the situation as “completely unacceptable,” attributing over a third of delays on flights from the United Kingdom to the EU to the EES. He called for an urgent review of the border controls ahead of the traditional summer surge, as many European schools prepare to break for holidays.

The letter comes amid broader political criticism in the United Kingdom. Richard Holden, the Conservative shadow transport secretary, criticized the opposition Labour Party for failing to secure smoother travel arrangements despite its close engagement with EU institutions, describing the current delays as a “slap in the face” for British travellers. He also referenced recent increases in Air Passenger Duty, sometimes dubbed a “holiday tax,” as compounding the difficulties for holidaymakers.

Incidents exemplifying the challenges include a case in April when approximately 100 passengers were left stranded in Milan after their flight departed without them following three-hour queues linked to the EES registration process.

In response, a European Commission spokesperson acknowledged the system’s “clear security benefits” and said that “all efforts” are underway to minimize disruptions while maintaining the protections provided by the new border controls. The current debate highlights the ongoing complex adjustments required as the UK and EU continue to navigate the post-Brexit landscape in managing travel and security regulations.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.