‘Pretty shambolic’: new EU border checks cause stress for UK travellers

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Britons report that EES digital entry and exit system has led to frustration, visa mix-ups and long queues</p><p>On top of fears about <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/27/germany-italy-heatwave-records-tumble-across-europe">extreme heat</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/06/totally-grounded-how-the-jet-fuel-crisis-could-change-our-summer-holidays-and-world-history">possible jet fuel shortages</a>, Britons planning summer holidays in the EU this year had another thing to worry about – long queues and waiting times caused by the bloc’s new border checks.</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/02/what-is-the-ess-and-how-is-it-affecting-visitors-to-eu-nations-this-summer">EU digital entry and exit system (EES)</a>, which requires non-EU citizens to register and be photographed and fingerprinted on arrival and departure from the Schengen zone, has been technically in full force since April after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/27/will-the-eu-new-fingerprint-entry-system-cause-gridlock-the-guardian-tried-it-out">launching last autumn</a>, but has been beset by teething problems.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/aug/23/new-eu-border-checks-ees-uk-travellers-visa-queues">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.