Christmas Travel to Europe Disrupted by EES

Photo: Travel and Tour World

Poland, Finland, Germany, Italy, Greece, Malta, Spain and other Schengen countries are experiencing major disruptions following the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES), reports Travel and Tour World. The system went live in October 2025: travellers from non-EU countries undergo biometric registration upon arrival, which has led to queues and delays.

Between 20–26 December and 31 December–2 January, terminals are expected to be overloaded, with long waits at biometric checkpoints. Some passengers say they have already cancelled European trips because of EES — according to surveys, 29% of UK adults chose not to travel.

What Is EES

EES replaces passport stamps and shifts border control into a digital format. The system covers 29 Schengen countries and uses biometrics to record entry and calculate the permitted length of stay. Its goal is to create a unified digital framework that speeds up document checks and reduces errors.

The rollout has been difficult: some equipment works inconsistently, data processing takes longer than expected, and terminals in busy hubs cannot handle peak holiday traffic. These technical issues have caused queues and delays in major European airports.

How the System Disrupts Travel Plans

Holiday traffic increases the pressure on border checkpoints, and delays directly affect travel schedules. Visitors heading to Christmas markets in Germany and Austria, to winter destinations in Italy and Spain, or to New Year events in Paris and Amsterdam are facing extended waiting times. As a result, plans change: travellers shorten itineraries, postpone departures or choose alternative dates.

Event organisers are also affected. Many visitors arrive late, which reduces attendance and creates additional logistical complications. Airlines report a spike in inquiries because passengers are unsure how much time to allocate for control procedures, where to complete registration and which documents are required under EES.

Why the EU Insists on EES

Despite initial difficulties, EES is intended to become the main entry-control system for the Schengen Area. Once stabilised, the procedure should take less time than manual passport checks, while reducing the risk of errors. Digital registration standardises travel records and prevents cases where data is updated inconsistently or fails to reach the shared database.

EES also provides the EU with a new tool for analysing travel flows. Countries will obtain accurate statistics on border load, seasonal patterns and overall mobility, which will help distribute resources more effectively and prepare for peak periods. Full benefits are expected only in 2026, once technical issues are resolved.

Travel Recommendations

Experts advise allowing extra time for travel — delays remain likely during peak periods. This is especially relevant for routes through Frankfurt, Paris and Amsterdam, where the load on border control is higher than average. It is helpful to check airport dаta: many hubs publish real-time queue information, allowing travellers to assess the situation in advance.

A calmer period is expected between 28–30 December and after 3 January — these dates usually fall outside the main traffic surge. Another practical step is choosing less busy airports, where the pressure on the system is lower and border control usually moves faster.

A New Travel Reality

Experts note that border issues will gradually ease. Major industry players, including SITA and WTTC, support the transition to electronic screening and even call for a full digital overhaul of border procedures. They emphasise that further growth in global mobility is impossible without e-visas, remote authorisation and biometric identification.

By 2035, air travel is expected to reach 14 billion passengers annually, and tourism will account for 11.5% of the global economy. At this scale, traditional border-control models cannot keep up — infrastructure is overloaded, and delays increase. Experts at International Investment believe that countries adopting digital borders first will gain advantages — faster processing, stable tourist flows and a stronger economic impact from the industry.