Europe’s New Border Rules Are Causing 5-Hour Delays: 4 Exempt Countries Americans Can Fly To Nonstop

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And it’s not looking like it’s gonna improve anytime soon.

The European Union’s Entry/Exit System involves requiring non-EU travelers visiting the Schengen Area for short stays to give fingerprints and undergo a facial scan, in an attempt to improve security at the continent’s entry points.

This applies to all countries participating in the Schengen agreement, with notable examples being Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia. Sounds great on paper, but it’s easier said than done.

Between glitchy EES registration kiosks and a lack of personnel, wait times of up to 5 hours have been reported by aviation groups ACI Europe and Airlines for Europe, even six months on from the system becoming fully operational in April 2026.

In fact, the two organizations have warned that queues routinely exceed 2 hours at some border checkpoints, calling for urgent improvements.

At this rate, you might as well skip the Schengen Area altogether, but that doesn’t mean Europe is completely off the table.

These 4 non-Schengen countries are exempt from imposing EES entry procedures, which means Americans can enter without all the additional faff—even better, they can fly there nonstop:

Ireland

One of America’s darling across-the-pond getaways, Ireland may well be a member of the European Union, but by virtue of its opt-out of the Schengen agreement, it is not required to adopt the EES mechanism.

Americans can continue flying to Ireland on a valid passport alone, with no advance visa or electronic travel authorization required.

As long as their visit does not exceed 90 days, they don’t need to apply for advance visas, fill out electronic travel authorization forms, nor worry about EES registration procedures.

They will still undergo normal immigration checks, mind you, and Irish border officers may ask about their accommodation or return flights, but at least there’s no fingerprinting-and-facial-scan EES routine to worry about.

Ireland is best known for its Celtic folklore, vibrant pub culture, Wild Atlantic Way interspersed with charming fishing villages and 700-foot-high sea cliffs, and of course, if that’s your thing, booze-filled city breaks in Dublin and Galway.

Americans can fly nonstop to either Dublin, the lively capital of the country, where the legendary Temple Bar is located, as well as the iconic Trinity College Dublin, home to the Book of Kells, or Shannon, a smaller hub just 15 miles outside the city of Limerick, and a convenient gateway to Ireland’s spectacular West Coast.

Top 5 Destinations In Ireland

• Dublin: the lively Irish capital, best known for its historic pubs, Georgian architecture, medieval churches, and the iconic Trinity College.
• Galway: a colorful harbor city on the Atlantic coast, famous for its bohemian Latin quarter, busker culture, and quaint riverside.
• Cliffs of Moher: towering sea cliffs rising up to 700 feet above the crashing Atlantic, offering some of Ireland’s most breathtaking coastal views.
• Waterford: the oldest city in Ireland, and a medieval gem dominated by an imposing Viking-era castle, on top of narrow historic lanes and centuries-old pubs.
• Rock of Cashell: the crowning place of the old Irish monarchs, and a ruined fortress-like abbey perched on a hilltop overlooking the Irish countryside.

Fly Nonstop To Dublin (DUB) From:

• Atlanta (ATL): Delta
• Boston (BOS): Aer Lingus, Delta, JetBlue
• Charlotte (CLT): American Airlines (seasonal)
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Aer Lingus, American Airlines, United Airlines
• Cleveland (CLE): Aer Lingus
• Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW): American Airlines
• Detroit (DTW): Delta (seasonal)
• Hartford (BDL): Aer Lingus (seasonal)
• Indianapolis (IND): Aer Lingus
• Las Vegas (LAS): Aer Lingus
• Los Angeles (LAX): Aer Lingus
• Miami (MIA): Aer Lingus (seasonal)
• Minneapolis (MSP): Aer Lingus, Delta
• Nashville (BNA): Aer Lingus
• New York JFK (JFK): Aer Lingus, Delta, JetBlue
• Newark (EWR): Aer Lingus, United Airlines
• Orlando (MCO): Aer Lingus
• Philadelphia (PHL): Aer Lingus, American Airlines
• Pittsburgh (PIT): Aer Lingus
• Raleigh–Durham (RDU): Aer Lingus
• San Francisco (SFO): Aer Lingus
• Seattle (SEA): Aer Lingus
• Washington Dulles (IAD): Aer Lingus, United Airlines

Fly Nonstop To Shannon (SNN) From:

• Boston (BOS): Aer Lingus
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): United Airlines (seasonal)
• New York JFK (JFK): Aer Lingus, Delta (Delta seasonal)
• Newark (EWR): United Airlines

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has been outside of the EU’s political club for a little over 6 years now, and in regards to EES, it’s no different.

As a non-EU state, it is not required to implement the new EU fingerprinting rules, which means Americans aren’t expected to undergo EES registration when landing in London, or any other British entry point… with a noteworthy caveat.

As of January 8, 2025, Americans aren’t allowed to fly to Britain for a typical tourist visit without first applying for a UK Electronic Travel Authorization, or ETA.

This is an online travel permit you must obtain prior to flying, otherwise, you won’t be able to board your flight, or UK-bound train or vessel.

The UK ETA costs approximately $27, as of October 2026, and applications usually take less than a day, though processing can take up to 3 working days, so in the event of a longer-than-usual delay, do not leave it until the very last minute.

Once approved, the ETA is valid for multiple visits over 2 years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and Americans can generally stay in the UK for up to 6 months per visit.

And of course, London’s great, but it’s merely the tip of the iceberg of a much bigger, four-nation country.

We’ve written extensively on the United Kingdom here, so if you’re looking for a proper adventure beyond the obvious red telephone box and Big Ben selfie spots, here’s a little inspiration:

Top 5 Destinations In The UK (Outside London)

• Edinburgh: the timeless Gothic capital of Scotland, sprawling at the foot of a castle-topped volcanic crag, with cobbled lanes, centuries-old pubs, and a magnificent Royal Mile.
• York: one of England’s prettiest medieval cities, with timber-framed streets, Roman-era city walls, and the soaring Gothic York Minster.
• Northern Ireland: the UK’s lesser-explored nation, packed with rugged coastal drives, quaint small towns, medieval castles, and landmarks tied to its complex Troubles history.
• Snowdonia: a dramatic mountainous region in northern Wales, home to soaring peaks, picturesque stone-built villages, and some of Britain’s most spectacular hiking trails.
• Newcastle-upon-Tyne: a lively northern English city with elegant Georgian streets, a striking riverside skyline, a medieval castle, and one of the country’s best nightlife scenes.

Fly Nonstop To London Heathrow (LHR) From:

• Atlanta (ATL): British Airways, Delta, Virgin Atlantic
• Austin (AUS): British Airways
• Baltimore–Washington (BWI): British Airways
• Boston (BOS): American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic
• Charlotte (CLT): American Airlines
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines
• Cincinnati (CVG): British Airways
• Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW): American Airlines, British Airways
• Denver (DEN): British Airways, United Airlines
• Detroit (DTW): Delta
• Houston Intercontinental (IAH): British Airways, United Airlines
• Las Vegas (LAS): American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Virgin Atlantic
• Los Angeles (LAX): American Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
• Miami (MIA): American Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
• Minneapolis (MSP): Delta
• Nashville (BNA): British Airways
• New Orleans (MSY): British Airways
• New York JFK (JFK): American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic
• Newark (EWR): British Airways, United Airlines
• Orlando (MCO): British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
• Philadelphia (PHL): American Airlines, British Airways
• Phoenix (PHX): American Airlines, British Airways
• Pittsburgh (PIT): British Airways
• Portland (PDX): British Airways
• Raleigh–Durham (RDU): American Airlines
• Salt Lake City (SLC): Delta
• San Diego (SAN): British Airways
• San Francisco (SFO): British Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic
• Seattle (SEA): Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Delta, Virgin Atlantic
• St. Louis (STL): British Airways (seasonal)
• Tampa (TPA): British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
• Washington Dulles (IAD): British Airways, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic

Fly Nonstop To London Gatwick (LGW) From:

• Boston (BOS): JetBlue (seasonal)
• New York JFK (JFK): Norse Atlantic UK
• Orlando (MCO): British Airways, Norse Atlantic UK
• Tampa (TPA): British Airways

Fly Nonstop To Edinburgh (EDI) From:

• Atlanta (ATL): Delta (seasonal)
• Boston (BOS): Delta, JetBlue
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): United Airlines
• New York JFK (JFK): American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue
• Newark (EWR): United Airlines
• Orlando (MCO): Virgin Atlantic (seasonal)
• Philadelphia (PHL): American Airlines (seasonal)
• Washington Dulles (IAD): United Airlines (seasonal)

Fly Nonstop To Manchester (MAN) From:

• Atlanta (ATL): Virgin Atlantic
• Las Vegas (LAS): Virgin Atlantic (seasonal)
• New York JFK (JFK): Virgin Atlantic
• Orlando (MCO): Virgin Atlantic

Fly Nonstop To Glasgow (GLA) From:

• Newark (EWR): United Airlines (seasonal)

Check The Local Travel Rules Before Flying

Before setting off on your next British or Irish adventure, there’s one thing worth keeping in mind:

The UK and Ireland may form part of a single Common Travel Area, but they have separate immigration systems, and an authorization issued for one does not automatically cover travel to the other.

This is particularly relevant for tourists traveling between the southern part of Ireland, which is its own independent country, and Northern Ireland, which is located on the same island, yet remains an integral part of the United Kingdom.

Our Entry Requirement Checker will help you figure out which documents, visas, or electronic travel authorizations you may need as a U.S. passport holder.

Serbia

A small and relatively unknown country in Southeastern Europe that’s been rising in popularity in recent years, Serbia is the unlikely Balkan gem you’d never guess actually hosted transatlantic flights… year-round, at that!

Though it’s hardly the average American’s destination of choice, Belgrade is reachable via a roughly 9–11-hour direct flight from two Stateside hubs, New York and Chicago, with a third, Miami, joining the lineup on May 20, 2027.

A lively capital city combining Old World architecture—truly the best of Habsburg elegance and lingering Ottoman influences—and communist-era Brutalism, a relic of the Yugoslav years, Belgrade is definitely not your usual Euro city break—it’s not even in the Eurozone, mind.

Serbia sits both outside the EU and the Schengen Area, thus EES fingerprinting and registration delays are definitely not a concern you should be worried about landing here.

Americans are welcome in Serbia for 90 days within a six-month period, similarly to the Schengen code, with a much-welcome exception: they do not care if you’ve spent time in other European countries prior to entering Serbia.

Its visa-free allowance is separate from Schengen’s, so a week in Italy or a month in France won’t eat into your Serbian allowance.

You’ll get up to 90 days here within Serbia’s own permitted period, even if you’ve stopped in Italy for a little pasta and pistachio gelato along the way, or the French Riviera for rosé-sipping in a swanky Cannes beach club.

Just beware: unless you’re flying direct to Serbia from the U.S., you could still encounter EES procedures if your itinerary involves actually entering the Schengen Area during a connection.

Simply changing planes at a Schengen hub without passing through border control, however, does not EES registration, provided you remain in the international area. This would require a full airline ticket.

Top 5 Destinations In Serbia

• Belgrade: a gritty, fascinating capital with a huge riverside fortress, Habsburg-era streets, and buzzing nightlife.
• Novi Sad: Serbia’s laid-back second city, known for its beautiful Austro-Hungarian buildings, café-flanked squares, and a monumental Petrovaradin Fortress overlooking the Danube.
• Niš: one of Europe’s oldest cities, home to an Ottoman fortress, Roman remains, and the haunting Skull Tower—it’s also the birthplace of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.
• Golubac Castle: a fairytale medieval castle perched on the banks of the Danube, right at the spot where the river narrows into the spectacular Đerdap Gorge, across from Romania.
• Tara National Park: a vast expanse of forested mountains, Switzerland-like emerald lakes, and dramatic river canyons.

Fly Nonstop To Belgrade (BEG) From:

• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Air Serbia
• New York JFK (JFK): Air Serbia
• Miami (MIA): Air Serbia (launching May 20, 2027, with twice-weekly flights)

Miami will be Air Serbia’s third U.S. destination, and the first-ever scheduled nonstop connection between Florida and Serbia.

Turkey

While much of Europe has been busy rolling out new entry systems, biometric checks, and their complicated travel authorizations, Turkey has actually gone in the complete opposite direction, making it a lot easier for Americans to visit.

Yep. You read that right.

The country that straddles both Europe and Asia, home to ancient Greek ruins, spectacular Mediterranean beaches, and one of the most jaw-dropping city skylines on Earth, has scrapped tourist visa requirements for U.S. citizens altogether.

As of late December 2023, Americans no longer need to apply for the old Turkish e-Visa, pay a visa fee, or worry about obtaining an advance travel authorization for a regular tourist visit.

All they need is a valid passport, and they can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Of course, the usual checks apply, and your U.S. passport must meet Turkey’s current requirements. That is, be valid for at least 150 days beyond the intended date of departure, and having at least one blank page left for entry and exit visa stamps.

Nevertheless, compared to the growing list of formalities in Europe, this one’s a breath of fresh air. Turkey isn’t in the EU, nor does it belong in Schengen, so EES is a non-issue here, too.

Istanbul is the main draw, obviously, with a minaret-dotted cityscape bestriding two continents across a narrow Bosphorus Strait, with its soaring Byzantine churches-turned-mosques, Genoese fortifications, and mazey bazaars to top it off.

Trust me, there’s plenty about Turkey’s largest metropolis to keep you busy for weeks on end… This doesn’t mean Istanbul is your only option.

Top 5 Destinations In Turkey (Outside Istanbul)

• Antalya: a sun-drenched Mediterranean city with an Ottoman-era Old Town, turquoise beaches, and spectacular ancient ruins just outside town.
• İzmir: a lively Aegean port city with palm-lined promenades, historic neighborhoods, and easy access to the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ephesus.
• Kaş: a picturesque coastal town wedged between rugged mountains and turquoise waters, home to ancient Lycian tombs and secluded coves.
• Cappadocia: an otherworldly region characterized by its fairy chimneys, rock-carved, underground cities, and hot-air balloon rides straight into fiery sunsets.
• Trabzon: a historic Black Sea city surrounded by alpine-like lush mountains, known for its Pontic Greek heritage and dramatic highland scenery.

Fly Nonstop To Istanbul (IST) From:

• Atlanta (ATL): Turkish Airlines
• Boston (BOS): Turkish Airlines
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): Turkish Airlines
• Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW): Turkish Airlines
• Denver (DEN): Turkish Airlines
• Detroit (DTW): Turkish Airlines
• Houston Intercontinental (IAH): Turkish Airlines
• Los Angeles (LAX): Turkish Airlines
• Miami (MIA): Turkish Airlines
• New York JFK (JFK): Turkish Airlines
• Newark (EWR): Turkish Airlines
• San Francisco (SFO): Turkish Airlines
• Seattle (SEA): Turkish Airlines
• Washington Dulles (IAD): Turkish Airlines

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