The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) started its gradual rollout in October.
At airports where the new digital technology is in place, visa-exempt travellers from the UK, US and other non-EU countries must register their biometric data at dedicated kiosks.
The new border checks are already causing headaches for passengers, who have reported long lines as people navigate the processing procedures for the first time.
In some cases, delays have resulted in passengers missing their flights.
In the coming months, more and more airports will be introducing the system, which aims to be fully operational across the Schengen borders by 10 April 2026.
With holiday travel likely to put further strain on airports already using the technology, travellers may be wondering about their rights in case of delays or missed connections.
Passengers are entitled to standard care from airlines, but experts warn travel insurance might not cover disruption caused by the introduction of the EES.
Passenger rights if EES border delays mean a missed connection
Non-EU travellers transiting through airports in the bloc may be subject to EES checks.
Those connecting to destinations outside the Schengen area do not have to use the new system, but passengers whose arrival point is within the EU are required to undergo border controls.
Although not common, air passengers have experienced missed connections due to lengthy processing times at EU borders.
In this case, travellers are protected by EU regulations and international passenger laws.
Airlines are obliged to book passengers onto the next available flight to their destination. In the meantime, they are responsible for covering meals, transport and overnight accommodation where applicable.
However, this is only the case if you have purchased a ‘through ticket’ with an airline.
Travellers who have booked ‘self-transfer’ flights, meaning separate tickets either with the same carrier or two different ones, are responsible for rebooking a missed connection themselves.
Can travel insurance cover me if the EU’s EES makes me miss a flight?
A recent report from insurance comparison site Squaremouth showed that missed connections can cost travellers an average of $458 (€390) per trip in unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
But in many cases, flights missed due to processing under the EES will fall outside of travel insurance coverage, even if your policy includes protection for missed connections or trip delays.
“Delays caused by the EES are unlikely to be covered unless the travel insurance policy recognises immigration or security delays as unforeseen events,” explains Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth.
“As the new system is expected to remain in place and travellers continue to face delays, most insurance providers will cite these delays under general policy exclusions, meaning travellers wouldn’t be eligible for a refund or reimbursement if they miss a connection due to long wait times at border control.”
Valdez urges passengers to contact their insurance provider before a trip to ensure they are informed about their rights.
“It’s best to keep these expected delays in mind when planning your trip and build in generous layovers when connecting via Europe, and to remember that missing a flight simply because you didn’t allow enough buffer time is unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance,” she adds.
“We recommend considering flexible or refundable ticket options and keeping thorough records of any delays you experience, as some other scenarios, such as weather or airline-caused delays, could be covered under certain policies.”