Travelers heading to the European Union this summer may encounter lengthy queues at airports due to the upcoming implementation of the EU's new digital border control system, known as EES (Entry/Exit System). The system requires non-EU citizens to have their passport scanned and fingerprints taken upon entry, a process that is expected to slow down border checks.
This new system could lead to substantial delays, and airlines are not obligated to rebook passengers who miss their flights as a result of these queues without additional charges. Similarly, travel insurance policies are unlikely to cover expenses such as new flights, hotels, or other losses incurred due to delays caused by EES border checks. According to Defaqto, a financial analysis firm, travel insurance policies typically do not explicitly cover EES delays because it is considered an expected or routine procedure. Insurers generally consider it the traveler's responsibility to account for potential long queues or delays.
While there might be a slim possibility of a claim under provisions for missed departure, delay, or abandonment, immigration or border delays are often excluded from coverage. Travelers are advised to carefully review their insurance documentation or contact their provider before their trip to understand the terms and conditions related to border delays. One traveler, Anne Robinson, and her son missed their flight home from Rome after encountering a 90-minute queue, resulting in the need to purchase replacement flights at a cost of £250, which they could not reclaim.
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