**UK Travellers Face Long Waits at EU Borders as Manual Checks Continue into Late 2025**
British holidaymakers expecting stress-free journeys into Europe this summer have been warned to prepare for continued disruption at EU borders, as the introduction of the bloc’s new high-tech Entry and Exit System (EES) has been delayed until at least November 2025. Travellers should anticipate lengthy waits, as manual processing involving fingerprinting and facial scans will remain the norm for over a year.
The long-awaited EES, designed to digitise the process of recording travellers’ movements and replace the current system of passport stamping with biometric data, was initially due to launch earlier this year. However, technical development issues have pushed the roll-out back, forcing border authorities to extend manual checks at road, rail and ferry crossings connecting the UK and the European continent.
According to Doug Bannister, Chief Executive at the Port of Dover, UK passport holders will continue to be vetted by hand at entry points to the Schengen Area while the digital pre-registration solution is still in development. “Biometric checks on fingerprints and facial scans will be required for every traveller, and these will need to be conducted face-to-face until the technology is ready and operational,” he explained.
As a result, the manual approach will impact all UK nationals travelling to Schengen states by car, coach or bus. This includes some of the busiest passport control locations, such as Dover, where the infrastructure is being expanded to try and absorb the increased volume of departing passengers having to leave their vehicles for data collection.
In practical terms, every person seeking entry into the EU this summer and beyond will be required, on their first journey, to provide fingerprints and a facial image, which will then be digitally linked to their passport information for subsequent visits. Until the automation is completed, border guards will continue with the existing practice of stamping passports while also conducting biometric verification, an approach that is expected to lead to significant bottlenecks at peak times.
Port authorities, aware of potential congestion as the summer holiday season gets underway, have begun measures to combat the disruption. The Port of Dover has reportedly reclaimed 13 hectares of land to use as holding zones for vehicles and passengers awaiting manual processing, an effort aimed at easing some of the pressure during the busiest travel periods.
Holidaymakers are being strongly advised to plan ahead and allow for considerable extra time when crossing EU borders. “People visiting Europe should arrive well in advance, particularly at main ports like Dover,” travel experts recommend, highlighting the necessity to carry valid documentation and be prepared for possible delays.
Travellers are also encouraged to follow updates issued by the Port of Dover as well as official EU travel advisories to stay informed on evolving border control procedures. Group travel organisers are being reminded to ensure everyone understands the requirements and has their paperwork ready, which should help reduce confusion and speed up processing.
When the EES eventually launches, travellers with biometric data already registered will benefit from streamlined, automated border crossings and their stays in the Schengen area will be monitored digitally. However, with the pre-registration system now postponed until after November 2025, border officials will continue to handle biometric collection at entry points, a process that could take longer for families and larger groups, especially during school holidays and major travel weekends.
For those planning a trip to Europe, patience and preparedness are likely to be the most valuable travel companions until the digital transformation of Europe’s borders is finally completed.