Going to Europe This Summer? Prepare for a Long Queue

As millions of travellers around the world begin booking flights and planning vacations for summer 2026, a new travel reality is emerging: Europe is likely to see significantly longer queues at airports, border crossings and ports this season. A series of changes to the way border controls operate — especially the roll‑out of the European Union’s biometric border system — means that visitors may have to allow far more time than usual when entering or exiting the continent’s Schengen countries.
Why the Delays Are Happening
The core of the disruption stems from the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) — a new digital border system designed to replace traditional passport stamping with automated registration of non‑EU travellers’ biometric data. Under the new regime, people from outside the EU or European Free Trade Association must have their facial image and fingerprints scanned and stored the first time they enter the Schengen Area.
The system was operational in some places by late 2025 and was scheduled for full implementation by April 10, 2026, but the scale and pace of the rollout have strained border‑control infrastructure. The extra time needed to capture biometric data — compared with traditional passport checks — is slowing border processing at major airports and crossing points.
Industry groups representing airlines and airports — including Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, Airlines for Europe (A4E) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) — have warned that the extended checks will cause serious travel disruptions this summer, especially in July and August when holiday travel peaks. In formal letters to European Commission officials, they said that unless changes are made, queues of two to four hours or more could become the norm at busy hubs.
Where the Queues Could Be Longest
Major European airports that serve as key tourism gateways are bracing for the worst. Reports from travel and airport associations suggest that hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Munich, Madrid Barajas and Rome Fiumicino — already handling hundreds of thousands of passengers per day — could experience prolonged wait times at border checkpoints.
In France, industry insiders have said the EES can add 45–60 seconds per traveller during the biometric capture, which may seem small on its own but becomes significant when tens of thousands of passengers arrive in waves throughout the day. Seasonal and weekend travel peaks could stretch waiting times further, especially when staffing levels remain constrained.
Even outside airports, port terminals and land border crossings — such as those between Spain and Morocco, or at Eurotunnel links between the UK and France — could feel the impact, as more passengers require electronic processing of entry and exit data.
What Travellers Should Expect
For summer travellers from outside the EU — including visitors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Asia — the picture is particularly important: your first entry into the Schengen Area will involve mandatory biometric registration. This means:
Extra time at passport control — Be ready for lines that may take up to several hours in the busiest periods.
Arrive early — Airlines and travel experts recommend being at the airport at least three to four hours before departure to account for queues and avoid missing flights.
Have documents ready — Make sure your passport, visa (if required) and any digital pre‑registration documents are at hand before queuing.
Even travellers who are already registered in the system may find themselves in longer lines than in past summers because of how the new checks are being staffed and managed.
What the EU Is Doing About It
European authorities are aware of the concerns. The European Commission has stressed that the progressive rollout — which allows states to adjust how and where the system operates — should help manage the transition more smoothly. Some countries have been given flexibility to pause or modify biometric checks during peak travel periods, potentially into late summer, to reduce congestion.
Border‑control officials have also emphasised the security benefits of the new system, saying that digital entry/exit data help protect against identity fraud and improve overall border integrity across the Schengen Area.
Still Worth the Trip
Despite the expected queues, Europe remains one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, with historic cities, scenic landscapes and cultural attractions drawing millions each year. But for travellers planning their first overseas summer vacation, it’s essential to factor in these procedural changes to avoid stress at arrival and departure points.
With careful planning — including arriving early, knowing what paperwork you need, and staying updated on border procedures — your European summer holiday can be rewarding, even if the initial queues prove to be longer than in years past.