EU Entry Exit System causes doubled airport wait times

The implementation of the European Union’s new Entry Exit System (EES) has led to significant increases in border control waiting times at several major European airports. Data indicates that processing times for non-EU travelers have nearly doubled compared to the previous year.

At Frankfurt Airport, waiting times rose from 60 minutes to 120 minutes. Amsterdam saw increases from 80 to 120 minutes, while Munich reported a jump from 31 to 60 minutes. Brussels Airport has also experienced severe delays, with non-EU passenger wait times exceeding two hours for departures and three hours for arrivals.

The EES, which replaced manual passport stamping with a digital system, requires non-EU travelers to provide fingerprints, biometric photos, and personal information. While intended to enhance security and reliability, the lengthy registration process has caused passenger anxiety and operational challenges. Although the European Commission noted that national authorities could temporarily suspend biometric data collection during peak periods to alleviate congestion, long queues persist at several key transit hubs.