30 Days of EES: How the System is Performing So Far

• One month on, the EES roll out is underway with varying progress across the Schengen area

• Czech Republic, Estonia, and Luxembourg among those who have successfully implemented the system nationwide

• Holiday Extras has launched an online tool to help holidaymakers easily identify the destinations in which the EES has gone live

12 November 2025: One month on from the implementation of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), new analysis has revealed how countries within the Schengen Area have been grappling with the policy since its introduction – with just a third (28%) of those affected having introduced it to select airports within their borders. 

The EES is a new digital border system that has changed requirements for British citizens travelling into the EU and Schengen Area, with travellers now required to register their biometric details when they arrive at their destination (depending on mode of transport). 

The system, which involves capturing travellers’ photographs and fingerprints, was expected to cause delays and disruptions for those entering EU borders. After four weeks, analysis by Holiday Extras – the UK’s market leader in holiday extras including airport hotels, airport parking, travel insurance and more – has revealed that nine countries have so far announced even a partial successful roll-out. Other early adopters have announced considerable delays to their original schedule - the Port of Dover, for example, saying that the French side isn’t ready and delaying a proposed November launch date until at least the new year.

Countries that have introduced the system in whole or in part include Norway (Oslo), Czech Republic (Prague), Estonia (Tallinn), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), some Spanish airports (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga & Alicante), the Netherlands’ Amsterdam Schiphol and some Italian and French airports including Paris CDG and Milan.

The analysis comes after research by the travel brand revealed mass misunderstanding of the new policy, with four in five (82%) Brits admitting they didn’t know how it would impact their travels, and more than a third (35%) being unaware of the scheme. 

To help holidaymakers navigate the transition to the new Entry/Exit System, Holiday Extras has developed a tool that identifies the countries and airports in which the EES has been announced operational, as well as those it is not – allowing travellers to see whether the destinations they’re visiting have been impacted by the rollout so far. 

Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, said: 

“While the scheme is designed to make border processing smoother and faster in the long run, the initial introduction of it around the EU has proven that it will take time for airports to adapt to the new process, which has led to some delays as traveller data is captured for the first time. 

“Some countries are moving faster than others, and while some are yet to implement it, visitors to places including the Czech Republic, Estonia or Luxembourg can expect to encounter it upon entry. People planning trips in the coming months should be aware of this process change. If they’re keen to avoid disruptions and queues, it’s worth knowing when each European airport plans to start using EES - because the first few days or weeks appear to come with the biggest teething problems - or considering one of the many destinations outside the scheme.

“There are plenty of incredible destinations unaffected by the EES that are well worth exploring. Ireland, Guernsey, Cyprus, Montenegro and Turkey are all just a short flight away, and each offers something special, without the possibility of being held up at border control.”

For more information and to check which airports have successfully implemented EES, visit: www.holidayextras.com/tips-and-advice/how-to-get-ready-for-ees.html. 

About Holiday Extras   

Holiday Extras is the only place to go for your holiday extras, offering the best choice, value, and service in the market. Its AI-powered, hyper-connected and ultra-personalised app transforms ordinary trips into extraordinary journeys by finding the right airport parking, airport hotels, lounges, transfers, insurance, car hire, and other holiday extras for every trip. 

Established in 1983, Holiday Extras makes bookings for over 8 million travellers each year. When booking with Holiday Extras, if plans change, no matter what the reason, Flextras ensures it will always be easy and free to cancel the booking and reschedule for another date. The company has been listed eleven times in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For. 

The Holiday Extras booking app is available to download now via a link at HolidayExtras.com 

Countries that have announced the roll-out of EES