British travel during the peak summer holiday period is being affected by the European Union’s entry-exit system, which has been fully operational since April following its launch the previous year. The system requires non-EU citizens, including British nationals, to complete biometric registration processes including photography and fingerprinting upon arrival in EU states.
Liberal Democrats foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller called on the prime minister to directly engage with European leaders to temporarily suspend the system until at least September, characterizing it as a malfunctioning border operation. The travel industry has noted that Spain will be the primary destination for this weekend’s travelers, with significant demand also for Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey. Trade organization Abta advised passengers to allocate additional time for their journeys, acknowledging that many will experience EES procedures for the first time.
Implementation has been uneven across EU member states. Greece has signaled it will not impose biometric checks on UK visitors, while France has experienced technical difficulties with automated passport control booths. Additionally, French border authorities have opted not to fingerprint or photograph car travelers at ferry terminals and the Eurotunnel. The port of Dover reported expecting over 10,000 vehicles on its busiest days alongside regular freight traffic, though queuing times have remained under 40 minutes.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has engaged with EU commissioners and French counterparts to address concerns. The government indicated it is providing funding for EES infrastructure and traffic management, particularly at Dover. Low-cost carrier EasyJet has separately urged the EU to extend operational flexibility on the system through at least the end of October to manage return flight volumes.
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