Summer Queues and New EU Border Checks for Travelers

Wondering why you are stuck at the border longer this year? The short answer: on top of the usual summer rush, external EU borders now run a new check that takes a few extra minutes per traveler.

Peak season is here, and with it a familiar picture. Lines of cars with Serbian plates heading toward Greece and the coast, blinkers on, and a wait that can drag on for hours. This year one new factor joins that crowd, which makes planning your trip more important than before.

It is the EU entry-exit system, known by the abbreviation EES. It introduces biometric registration for travelers from outside the Union, meaning fingerprints and a facial image are recorded at the first crossing. The check is more detailed than a passport stamp, so every car at the booth takes a bit longer. Multiply that by hundreds of vehicles in a queue and the wait adds up fast.

Why the congestion is different this year

Until now the biggest strain was the plain summer rush. Everyone leaves around the same time, usually on weekends, and crossings simply cannot take that many vehicles at once. That has not changed.

What is new is the extra check layered on top of the old crowd. To cope, EU countries are adding staff at crossings to ease the expected lines. It helps, but it does not erase the wait entirely, especially in the hours when everyone sets off at the same time.

For those of us driving south, the practical takeaway is simple. The time you once budgeted for the border is now worth padding a little. Better to arrive with a buffer than to watch the clock while the queue stands still.

How to plan your trip and avoid the worst of it

Here are a few steps you can apply before you leave, tested on the everyday drive to the sea.

First, pick an off-peak slot. Early mornings or late evenings are usually calmer than a weekend midday, when the most vehicles set off. If you have flexibility, skip Saturday morning.

Second, check crossing conditions before you go. Live updates on waiting times are published regularly, so it is easy to see where the lines are longest and, if needed, choose an alternative crossing.

Third, get your documents ready in advance. Keep passports within reach and your travel insurance and vehicle papers in one place. The less rummaging through bags at the booth, the faster the whole line behind you moves.

Fourth, pack water, a snack, and a phone charger in the cabin, not the trunk. If the wait drags on, small things make the difference, especially with children in the car.

Fifth, allow extra time for your first crossing under the new system. Once you are registered, the next time usually goes faster, but be patient the first time around.

Your holiday starts the moment you get in the car, not when you reach the beach. With a little planning, the border does not have to be the worst part of the trip.

So how do you handle the queues, which route to the sea do you prefer, and what time do you leave to beat the lines?