Spain Joins Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Iceland in Full Travel Meltdown, UK Tourists Stuck for Hours as Biometric Border Checks Cause Major Delays

Key Takeaways:

• Multiple European tourism hotspots, including Spain and Germany, report major hold-ups.
• UK tourists in particular are facing prolonged lines at border checkpoints.
• The recently introduced ETA and EES systems are triggering these widespread delays.
• Wait times can last for hours, creating significant inconvenience.
• Travel And Tour World first broke the story on December 29, 2025.

The Widespread Crisis

A full-blown travel meltdown has taken hold in several popular European destinations. Spain, Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Iceland have all witnessed an alarming increase in border wait times. UK tourists in particular are finding that a once-simple process has become an hours-long ordeal.

The Role of New Border Systems

Central to these disruptions are two recently introduced mechanisms: the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES). Both rely on biometric checks designed to verify travelers’ identities more thoroughly. While the goal is to enhance security, the immediate effect has been a series of backups at checkpoints with dramatically extended processing times.

Impact on UK Tourists

With the ETA requirements targeting visitors from the UK, many British travelers intending to enjoy a holiday in Spain or Greece have been surprised by the wait. According to early reports, these travelers often spend hours in line, navigating a complex set of biometric steps that can challenge existing infrastructure.

Prolonged Wait Times and Delays

As tourists arrive at popular locations, some find themselves stuck in lengthy queues before finally receiving clearance to enter. Border officials have been working to manage the influx, but the dual implementation of the UK’s ETA and the EU’s EES has strained resources, causing extensive wait times that can last for hours.

Looking Ahead

With no immediate resolution mentioned in the original feed, travelers are advised to prepare for the possibility of further delays. The situation, described as a “full travel meltdown,” highlights the difficulties of rolling out complex border systems. As the new measures continue to evolve, the experiences of travelers may be subject to ongoing adjustments in the weeks and months to come.