Non-EU passengers face three-hour queues at European capital airport due to new entry-exit system

The new Entry-Exit system (EES), which is designed to make going through airport checks faster,  has caused chaos at some major airports.  A...

The new Entry-Exit system (EES), which is designed to make going through airport checks faster, has caused chaos at some major airports. 

Although the roll-out is gradual, it already appears to be having a severe impact on travel, with some people reportedly left waiting for three hours at Brussels Airport this week.

The EU implemented the EES system at its external borders on Sunday, allowing border control officials to dispense with passport stamps.

Under the new system, non-EU nationals travelling to 29 (mainly EU) countries must register their fingerprints and agree to be photographed. 

Participating countries must also log travellers' entry and exit dates. 

But one passenger told The Brussels Times that she was left waiting in a queue for almost three hours upon arrival at Brussels Airport on Monday.

Rebecca Wells, who was travelling with a US passport, said that the queue for EU passports was 'considerably shorter' and went much faster than the one for arrivals from outside the EU.

'There was nobody there to brief you or tell you what was going on,' she said. 

And when it came to the new EES system, Rebecca said that her passport was 'stamped like normal'.  

She said: 'There was a spot to put fingerprints, but he didn't ask for fingerprints and didn't ask me any questions, and I didn't have to fill out a form or anything.'

When The Brussels Times approached Brussels Airport for comment, they could not confirm whether the long wait times were due to the EES system.

A spokesperson for the Federal Police, which is responsible for the airport's border control, told the publication that the long wait time was due to 'a combination of factors'.

The new system is being rolled out across Europe gradually and is set to be completely operational at all external Schengen border crossings by April 10, 2026.

At Dover, the new EES is required by coach drivers and won’t apply to other passengers until November 1.

Eurostar has started with just business travellers, and the Eurotunnel will begin with coaches and lorries before moving to cars.

Passengers will need to scan their passports at an automated self-service kiosk. The system will replace passport stamping for visitors to Europe's Schengen area.

The system will register the person's name, type of travel document, biometric data (such as fingerprints) and the date and place of entry and exit.

Once registered, your details are stored for three years, and on future trips, you’ll just need a quick face scan to verify it is you.

The system aims to crack down on crime and enforce the 90-day stay limit, which applies to British travellers and other third-country nationals, within any 180-day period.

It will collect data from passengers when they enter or leave at an external Schengen border: this includes international airports, sea ports, railway stations and road crossings.

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