Key Takeaways:
- The EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully active for all non-EU travelers.
- Biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) is mandatory for entry.
- Major airports are reporting significantly longer queues and waiting times.
- Travelers are advised to prepare for slower processing at all border checkpoints.
A significant shift in European border management is now in full effect, and travelers are feeling the impact. The Entry/Exit System (EES), a cornerstone of the EU's strategy to strengthen external border security, has completed its transition period. This means all non-EU citizens—including British travelers post-Brexit—must now submit biometric information upon arrival.
The change is not merely procedural; it has tangible consequences for the travel experience. Airports and airlines across the continent have been issuing warnings for months, and those warnings are now materializing as extended queues and waiting times at major international hubs.
Why Queues Are Getting Longer
The core of the delay lies in the new mandatory checks. Previously, biometric screening was applied selectively. Now, every eligible non-EU traveler must undergo the process. This includes registering four fingerprints and a facial image at the border.
According to Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, waiting times at border control points have been on a steady climb. Olivier Jankovec, ACI's Director General, directly links the current congestion to the perfect storm of the Easter travel rush coinciding with the full EES rollout. He advises travelers to brace for slower processing at every checkpoint as the new normal.
How the New System Works in Practice
The implementation varies by airport size and capacity, adding another layer of complexity:
- At larger airports: Travelers will primarily use self-service kiosks to submit their biometric data before proceeding to a border officer for passport stamping.
- At smaller airports: The entire process, including biometric capture, is handled manually by border guards, which can be even more time-consuming.
Since its initial "soft launch" in October, thousands of passengers have already faced disruptions. With the transition officially over, these delays are no longer teething problems but a structural feature of the new border regime. For frequent travelers and tourists alike, extra time at the airport has become an essential part of trip planning.