EES Border Chaos: Burnham Urged to Lobby EU Leaders for Waiver 2026

The EES border system is causing chaos for British holidaymakers, with Andy Burnham urged to lobby EU leaders directly to waive the new entry-exit controls. As the peak weekend for overseas holidays begins, about 2.2 million British travellers are expected to head abroad between Friday and Monday, the majority to Europe, with all schools in the UK now on their summer break. Speaking at Heathrow airport on Friday morning, the Liberal Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesperson, Calum Miller, said the prime minister needed to call on EU states to drop the “bungled, malfunctioning border system” until at least September.

What Is the EES Border System?

The Entry/Exit System (EES) requires non-EU citizens to register on arrival, including being photographed and fingerprinted. It has been technically in full force since April after launching last year, but border police have been allowed to relax requirements during extreme delays. Some passengers, however, have still missed flights while others have had to queue for several hours. The system aims to enhance security but has sparked widespread frustration among travellers and hauliers.

Impact on British Holidaymakers

Miller said: “Holidaymakers and hauliers should not be punished by a bungled, malfunctioning border system that is completely out of their control. Andy Burnham needs to pick up the phone to each and every European leader – and persuade them, collectively, to suspend the EES until at least September.” He added that a disastrous Brexit deal was “putting millions of Britons at risk of having their holidays ruined by this broken EU border system.” The travel association Abta said Spain would be the main destination for people travelling abroad this weekend, with strong demand also for Greece, Portugal, Italy and Turkey.

Comparison of EES Impact by Destination

Key Takeaways for Travellers

• Allow extra time at passport control, especially in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
• Check destination-specific rules—Greece has waived biometric checks for UK nationals.
• Stay updated on potential EES suspension if Burnham’s lobbying succeeds.
• Prepare documentation for fingerprinting and photo registration on arrival.

Expert Advice

Abta’s chief executive, Mark Tanzer, said passengers should leave plenty of time for their journeys. “For many heading overseas, this will be the first experience of EES, and for some, though not all, it may take longer than usual to get through passport control,” he explained. Greece has already indicated it will not impose the additional biometric checks on UK nationals who make up the majority of its incoming non-EU tourists, while problems with technology continue to plague other border points.

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