On May 23, 2026, the port of Dover experienced severe congestion as newly established EU border checks affected an estimated 8,000 travellers. This day represented the busiest travel period of the year so far, leading to significant hold-ups and what has been described as near total gridlock at the port.
Travellers passing through Dover encountered extended delays due to the recently reinforced EU border control measures. The additional checks resulted in a substantial backlog impacting a large number of passengers at one of the United Kingdom’s main points of entry.
