UK Holidaymakers Face Long Delays Due to EU Border Checks Failure

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, July 25, 2026

Holidaymakers departing from the UK are experiencing significant delays at airports and Channel ports due to problems with the European Union’s Entry Exit System, which scans passports and fingerprints but has caused long queues. With millions expected to travel during the summer holidays, officials warn of extended wait times and disruptions ahead, urging increased cooperation to ease border checks.

Holidaymakers traveling from the United Kingdom face significant delays at airports and Channel ports due to ongoing issues with the European Union’s Entry Exit System (EES), which was introduced in April. The new system, designed to verify passengers’ identities through passport photographs and fingerprint scans, has not been functioning smoothly, leading to congestion and extended wait times.

Officials at key departure points including Dover and Heathrow have raised concerns over the impact of the system on outbound travel, particularly as the UK’s school summer holidays begin. Doug Bannister, chief executive of Dover Port, cautioned that delays similar to a "critical incident" in May—when approximately 8,500 drivers were held up for hours—could recur over the coming weekend. With around 6.3 million drivers expected to travel by road and tens of thousands using the Channel Tunnel, officials anticipate growing queues and disruptions.

Ferry services at Dover have also experienced delays, with vessels held for up to an hour due to the bottlenecks caused by border controls. The congestion is compounded by a yellow weather alert issued for south-east England, where temperatures are forecast to reach 30°C (86°F).

At Heathrow Airport, the Entry Exit System has also contributed to longer processing times for travellers. Thomas Woldbye, chief executive of Heathrow, acknowledged that the system is underperforming and urged greater cooperation between the UK and EU authorities to improve flexibility and reduce wait times. “Nobody wants to stand in a long queue getting into and starting their vacation,” Woldbye commented.

Airline operators have responded to the delays with varying approaches. Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary warned passengers that flights would depart on schedule regardless of those delayed in border lines, emphasizing that the airline "will not wait for anybody" caught in extended queues.

The border check issues are not limited to UK departure points. Airports across several European destinations, including Tenerife, Palma, Alicante, Malaga, Milan, Krakow, and Paris, have reported delays of up to three hours related to the new EES procedures.

Efforts to resolve the operational challenges with the Entry Exit System are ongoing as summer travel peaks, but holidaymakers are advised to anticipate longer processing times at EU borders in the near term.

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.