Tips & Advice · 5 min read · Updated 12 Mar 2026

6 places to go to avoid EES

EES is now fully live across all Schengen borders — and summer 2026 queues could be brutal. Here's where to go instead.

Short on time? Let us summarise this guide for you.

The EU's Entry/Exit System is now fully operational across all 29 Schengen countries as of 10 April 2026, with industry bodies warning of four-to-six-hour queues this summer. The good news: plenty of brilliant destinations are completely unaffected. Ireland and Cyprus sit inside the EU but outside Schengen, so no biometrics required. Turkey, Albania, Cabo Verde and Azerbaijan are outside the EU entirely. All six offer sun, culture and great value — without the passport control queues. Note: Cyprus is working towards joining Schengen in the longer term, so its EES-free status may eventually change.

The EU's Entry/Exit System — EES — reached full mandatory implementation on 10 April 2026. Every Schengen border point must now register all non-EU travellers, including UK nationals, with fingerprints and a facial scan. Industry bodies ACI Europe, Airlines for Europe and IATA have warned that without emergency flexibility measures, summer 2026 queues at major airports could hit four to six hours.

The good news is that there are still plenty of brilliant destinations completely unaffected by EES — where your trip won't be hampered by biometric queues. Here's where we recommend heading instead.

Ireland

Part of the EU yes, but within the Schengen Zone it's not. Ireland maintains its own border arrangements through the Common Travel Area with the UK, which means you can visit without any EES checks getting in the way — now or in the foreseeable future. Ireland has a permanent opt-out from Schengen, so this isn't changing any time soon.

It's the closest place outside the UK you can go for a holiday, and while it doesn't provide guaranteed sun or scorching heat, that's not really what you go there for. A weekend in Dublin can give Budapest or Prague a run for their money — especially when it comes to beer. Who needs a pilsner when you've got fresh Guinness straight from the source?

If it's unforgettable countryside you're after, you're never too far away. Rolling green hills abound, dissected by sleepy lanes that lead to remote villages and old churches with a wonky charm. The Wild Atlantic Way alone could keep you busy for weeks.

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Albania

Wedged between Greece and Montenegro, Albania's got all the charm of an Adriatic EU country minus the cost and bureaucracy of actually getting there — and, crucially, none of the EES queues either. Albania is not in the EU and has no plans to join Schengen any time soon, so it remains firmly outside the system.

The Albanian Riviera is the best place to start, with picture-perfect towns like Ksamil offering a sun-drenched welcome. The beach is jaw-dropping, and Albania hasn't yet been overwhelmed by mass tourism — though the secret is getting out fast, so get there while it's still relatively undiscovered.

For culture, Tirana is a genuine surprise — its mix of Ottoman and Soviet-era architecture is unlike anything else in Europe. A lively nightlife scene, fascinating galleries and a dramatic mountain backdrop make it one of the more underrated city breaks on the continent, with a pleasingly post-communist edge.

Turkey

Comfortably outside the EU and entirely unaffected by EES, Turkey is an affordable way to enjoy similar Mediterranean vibes to Greece, Spain or Italy — with the added bonus of skipping the biometric queue entirely. The country's sheer size means it offers a bit of everything, making it ideal if you're not quite sure what holiday box to tick.

For beach breaks you've got the resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum, with pristine sand and sea so blue it boggles the mind, plus a buzzing nightlife and some of the best food in the Mediterranean. For something more adventurous, a gulet cruise along the Turquoise Coast — hopping between secluded coves on a traditional wooden sailboat — is one of the great holiday experiences.

After a city break? Istanbul is one of Europe's great cities, straddling the border between the two continents. Iconic landmarks like the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Grand Bazaar are only the beginning of what it has to offer.

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Cyprus

Like Ireland, Cyprus sits inside the EU but outside the Schengen zone — and in February 2026 confirmed it will not be adopting EES when the system went fully live in April. Visitors to Cyprus continue to receive a good old-fashioned passport stamp rather than having their biometrics captured. Unlike Ireland, warm and sunny weather is almost guaranteed, making Cyprus a particularly appealing choice right now.

A note for the future: Cyprus is actively working towards joining Schengen, with the government targeting membership in 2026 or 2027. Once that happens, EES and eventually ETIAS will apply. For now though, it remains blissfully unaffected — and is arguably the savviest swap for a Schengen destination like Greece or Spain.

Ayia Napa is probably the rowdiest resort in the Med, but far from its clubs, the beach resorts of Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos offer endless strips of soft sand, striking rocky coves and fascinating architecture. And while you're there, the Rock of Aphrodite — mythological birthplace of the Greek goddess of love — is a genuinely spectacular sight.

Cabo Verde

The surest way to avoid EES is to leave Europe altogether. Cabo Verde is an island chain that's part of Africa but carries a distinct Portuguese flavour from centuries of colonisation — sun, seafood, music and stunning beaches, with none of the Schengen bureaucracy.

There are 10 islands in total. The most popular with UK holidaymakers are Sal and Boa Vista, with their endless stretches of powdery sand and warm Atlantic waters perfect for surfing, scuba diving and snorkelling alongside sea turtles. Santiago, the largest island, is worth exploring for its vibrant capital Praia and the dramatic interior.

Don't let the African location put you off on distance — flights are around six hours, only slightly longer than the Canaries, and the temperature sits comfortably in the mid-to-high twenties all year round, cooled by Atlantic breezes. Good value, reliably sunny, and as far from an EES queue as you can get.

Azerbaijan

It lies outside the EU and well beyond the reach of EES, but Baku is now just five and a half hours from the UK by direct flight — making Azerbaijan a genuinely accessible choice for travellers who want something completely different.

Nestled between Europe and Asia, it's an intoxicating mix of ancient traditions and futuristic ambition. Baku dazzles with an ultra-modern skyline sitting alongside a medieval old city, where labyrinthine alleys lead to historic caravanserais and the 12th-century Maiden Tower. But the real magic lies beyond the capital: the fiery landscapes of Gobustan (millennia-old rock carvings sharing space with bubbling mud volcanoes), the eternal flames of Yanar Dag, and the remote mountain village of Khinalug — one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world.

For hikers and adventurers the Caucasus Mountains offer dramatic gorges, rushing rivers and genuine wilderness. And after a day exploring, a bowl of piti — slow-cooked lamb and chickpea stew — in a rustic teahouse is the perfect reward. Azerbaijan offers a sense of discovery that's genuinely hard to find right now.