Top three tips to avoid airport border chaos

As travellers continue to face increasing delays at airport border checks across Europe, Northern Ireland holidaymakers are being shown how they could potentially avoid the worst of the disruption this summer.

Since the full rollout of the EU’s new digital border system last month, there has been major disruption for many passengers travelling to Schengen countries such as France, Spain and Italy. The Entry/Exit System (EES) is designed to strengthen security while also speeding up border crossings for non-EU nationals, replacing traditional passport stamping with biometric data collection, including fingerprints and facial recognition.

However, problems with the implementation of the automated IT system have caused chaos at airports across Europe, with frequent reports of travellers being caught up in queues for several hours and many even missing their flights.*

The disruption, combined with severe jet fuel shortages caused by the war in Iran, has left many holidaymakers worried about their travel plans this summer.

Passengers need to be well prepared this holiday season, checking travel documents carefully for any damage which might cause additional issues at border control, and reviewing their passport options – as some nationalities are exempt from the EES checks.

Researching the airport passengers are flying into is also sensible. Some airports are notorious for queues and delays, particularly at border control. Travellers can look up airport statistics online, looking at efficiency, volume of passengers and average delays. Choosing a smaller, quieter airport this summer may just help escape the chaos.

According to a new CompareNI.com survey, almost a fifth of people (19%) have been put off travelling due to the new border control process, while 39% admitted that the widespread disruption has left them feeling anxious about travelling abroad this year.

However, there are steps that Northern Ireland travellers can take to speed up their journey through the EES and help get their trip off to a flying start.

Ian Wilson, travel insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: “While the new EU Entry/Exit System aims to improve security and streamline border crossings in the long run, the initial rollout has been far from smooth, leading to severe disruption for many travellers heading to Europe.

“With many holidaymakers stuck in long queues and some even missing their flights, it is understandable that almost 40% of people have expressed fears about travelling to Europe this summer.

“There are a few key steps that travellers can take to help reduce the risk of delays this summer. Those with an Irish passport have the option travel as EU citizens, which may mean a quicker journey through border checks.

“It’s also important to make sure passports are in good condition, as even minor damage can lead to additional checks and longer waiting times at border control.

“Finally, where and when passengers travel can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding delays. Larger airports and early morning arrivals tend to be busier, so choosing less congested routes where possible can help make the experience smoother.

“Unfortunately, airlines aren’t obligated to provide compensation or arrange alternative travel if someone misses their flight due to the ongoing delays at border control, so it is important that travellers allow themselves plenty of time to account for potentially longer queues when heading abroad this summer.

“It is also wise for holidaymakers to purchase travel insurance as soon as a trip is booked. This can help make sure travellers are financially protected should the unexpected happen, such as sudden illness, flight delays or other disruptions – although again, travellers need to be wary and allow plenty of time at the airport as travel insurance is unlikely to cover delays related to issues at border control.”

Top three tips to help NI travellers reduce risk of border control delays:

Irish passport holders are exempt

As Irish passport holders are classed as EU citizens, they are exempt from registering for the EES. This means they do not need to provide fingerprints or other biometric data when visiting Schengen countries, allowing them to potentially bypass the worst of the queues at border control.

Anyone born in Northern Ireland is entitled to dual citizenship, meaning – if they choose to – they could hold both British and Irish passports. It is estimated that almost half of Northern Ireland residents now possess an Irish passport, with over 128,000 people here applying for one in 2024.**

Check passport condition carefully

The new EES relies heavily on self-service kiosks for scanning passports and collecting biometric data, so it is vital that travel documents are in good condition. Damaged or worn passports may be more likely to fail at these new kiosks, which could lead to passengers having to undergo manual checks.

A significantly damaged passport could even see passengers being denied boarding, so it is crucial that travellers carefully inspect their documents for any water damage, torn or missing pages or peeling laminate.

Some airports worse hit than others

While the border delays have been widespread across Europe, there are some airports that are bearing the brunt of the new travel rules and consistently facing huge bottlenecks.

These include major hubs such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Madrid Barajas, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt and Rome Fiumicino, as well as those serving holiday hotspots such as Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife.***

Flying into a smaller or less-affected airport where possible, or avoiding the busy 6am-10am arrival window at major hubs, could help passengers steer clear of the worst of the disruption.

CompareNI.com can help holidaymakers find savings on all sorts of travel insurance products, such as annual or multi-trip cover, insurance for families and those who need insurance for pre-existing conditions.

References:

*https://inews.co.uk/news/france-holidaymakers-ees-queues-biometric-kiosk-faults-4382321?srsltid=Afm…

**https://www.visahq.com/news/2025-11-19/ie/nearly-half-of-northern-ireland-residents-now-hold-irish-…

***https://blog.wego.com/ees-border-queues/?utm

Survey – CompareNI.com’s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during April 2026, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.