TL;DR
- The EU’s Entry/Exit System launched last weekend and early reports are coming through from airports and ferry terminals across Europe.
- Southern European airports are seeing extended processing times, around 10% of Schengen border points are currently active, and awareness among UK travellers sits at 51%.
- Here’s what agents are seeing on the ground, what clients are asking about, and the practical information that helps answer their questions.
What’s Happening at the Borders
Since the launch, the EES rollout has been gradual across Schengen border points. As of Tuesday (October 14), approximately 10% of border crossings have activated the new system.
Dover has begun processing coach passengers, with passenger car processing scheduled to begin in November. Eurostar at St Pancras is processing select business travellers as part of the phased rollout. Southern European airports — including Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy — are reporting processing times of up to 4 hours during peak arrival periods.
The system requires travellers to provide fingerprints and a facial scan, which are stored for three years. First-time registration takes between 5 and 7 minutes per person. During busy arrival times with multiple flights landing simultaneously, queues have been building at immigration desks.
Traveller Awareness Levels
ABTA research indicates that 51% of UK travellers are aware of the new Entry/Exit System. Among frequent European travellers, awareness rises to 61%. First-time visitors to Europe show 35% awareness levels, though this group demonstrates 65% likelihood to book through travel agents when planning trips.
Common Client Questions
Travel agents are receiving similar questions from clients preparing for European travel. Here’s what people want to know.
Connection Times and Transfers
Clients booking flights with onward connections are asking about appropriate buffer times. Current guidance suggests allowing 2 to 4 hours between arrival and any connecting transport (transfers, trains, car hire pickups) for travel between now and early 2026. The system is expected to process more efficiently as border staff become familiar with procedures.
Data Storage and Privacy
Questions about biometric data handling are common. The EU Entry/Exit System stores fingerprints and facial images for three years before automatic deletion. The system operates under EU data protection regulations, similar to entry systems used by other countries including the United States.
Required Documentation
Travellers need a valid passport (with at least six months validity remaining), proof of accommodation, return or onward tickets, and travel medical insurance. These requirements aren’t new, though the EES system means border checks may take longer if documentation isn’t readily available.
Alternative Destinations
Ireland and Cyprus remain outside the Schengen area and are not part of the Entry/Exit System. These destinations continue to operate under existing UK-Ireland Common Travel Area arrangements and standard Cyprus entry procedures.
Cost Implications
The EES registration process itself is free. However, the increased possibility of delays has led some travellers to consider comprehensive travel insurance and airport lounge access as practical additions to their bookings.
How Different Routes Are Processing
Processing experiences vary depending on departure point and destination, which allows agents to provide specific guidance based on travel plans.
St Pancras Eurostar: Three EES processing locations have been installed. During the transition period through 2026, some manual passport processing continues alongside the new system. EES checks take place before departure rather than on arrival, though longer pre-departure processing times are expected.
Dover Ferry: A purpose-built processing area at the Western Docks handles coach passengers. The expansion to include passenger cars begins in November, which means booking confirmations should note which processing system applies to specific travel dates.
Direct EU Flights: Processing happens on arrival at destination airports. Southern European destinations are currently showing the longest processing times, particularly during periods when multiple international flights arrive within the same hour.
Cruise Travel: Round-trip cruises departing from and returning to UK ports generally fall outside EES requirements. Fly-cruise itineraries that include flights to or from Schengen countries require EES processing at the relevant airport.
Industry Response
The UK Department for Transport allocated £10.5 million to Dover, Eurotunnel, and Eurostar for infrastructure upgrades to support EES implementation.
Mark Tanzer, CEO of ABTA, commented: “Given the scale of the operation, there may be some delays, particularly at peak travel times. But countries will be stepping up their processes gradually and have the option to stand down the system to avoid significant and lengthy waiting times.”
Rory Boland from Which? Travel noted: “Longer waits are expected at border control on arrival so you should allow more time when you land by booking later transfers or other onward travel.”
Practical Additions to Consider
The extended processing times have brought certain travel extras into sharper focus for client conversations.
Travel insurance policies that cover missed connections have become more relevant given the potential for delays at immigration. Airport lounge access provides a comfortable waiting area during extended processing periods. Some agents are offering pre-travel document review services to help clients confirm they have all required paperwork organised before departure.
For clients who prefer straightforward travel without additional border procedures, Ireland and Cyprus itineraries provide European destinations without EES requirements.
Timeline Perspective
Full EES implementation across all Schengen border points is scheduled for April 2026. In Q4 2026, the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) will launch, requiring travellers to complete a pre-authorisation application with a €20 fee before travel.
Agents who become familiar with EES procedures during this rollout phase will be well-positioned to guide clients through the full system once all border points are active, and again when ETIAS adds another layer to the pre-travel process.
What’s Coming
- November 2025: Additional airport border points activate, passenger car processing begins at Dover
- January 2026: Approximately 50% of border points expected to be processing EES, with average processing times reducing to around 8 minutes
- April 2026: Full EES implementation across all 29 Schengen countries
- Q4 2026: ETIAS pre-authorisation system launches (€20 fee applies)
Practical Steps for This Week
Travel agents handling European bookings may find it helpful to update booking confirmation templates to include information about EES processing times. Creating a simple FAQ document allows quick responses to common client questions. For clients with European travel booked between now and December, proactive communication about border changes helps them plan appropriate connection times.
The Entry/Exit System represents a significant change to European border procedures. Clients are looking for clear, factual information from someone who understands how the system works and what it means for their specific travel plans.
Agent Advantage Insight
Building familiarity with EES procedures during this rollout phase positions agents to confidently guide clients through European travel for the next several years, particularly as ETIAS adds another pre-travel requirement in 2026.
