The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) became mandatory on Friday 10th April 2026 – but what is it actually like for travellers and what are the wait times?
Here’s over 65 real-life experiences from travellers across Europe to answer just that.
How Much Delay Is EES Causing at European Borders?
One of the biggest concerns around the rollout of EES is how much longer it will take non-EU nationals to get through passport control. With additional biometric checks and new processes in place, many travellers are worried about increased wait times and delays at the border.
That’s why I asked over 50 travellers who flew to Europe in the last few days to share their experiences of passing through passport control. From queue times to the different processes in place, here’s what they experienced.
Key things to know
I’ve summarised the survey responses to make this quick and easy to understand, but the following is worth keeping the following in mind when interpreting the results:
Date
I have only included data from journeys on or after 10 April 2026, as this was when EES was expected to become mandatory.
Time
The time you arrive at passport control can have a significant impact on queue lengths. This is often influenced by how many other flights are arriving at the same time.
Status
The first time you use EES, you will be registered. This involves providing your biometric data (a facial image and fingerprint scan) and answering questions about your travel.
This registration is valid for three years. In theory, subsequent trips should be faster, as you may be required to provide less biometric data and answer fewer questions. However, this currently appears to depend on the airport. Some locations offer separate queues for registered passengers, but this is not yet standard across all airports.
Method
There are three different methods you may experience when going through EES.
EES Self Service Kiosk
The self-service kiosk allows you to scan your passport, provide your biometric data, and answer questions about your travel. You can use this to register for EES on your first visit, as well as on subsequent trips.
If successful, you will usually still need to have your passport verified, either by joining a staffed queue or proceeding through an eGate (where available).
Manual Check
The manual check involves joining a queue for staffed desks or booths, where a border officer will complete your EES registration or verification.
This includes capturing your biometric data (a facial image and/or fingerprints) and asking questions about your travel.
eGates
eGates are automated border control gates that use facial recognition to verify your identity. If eligible, you may be able to use an eGate instead of going through a staffed desk.
For EES, eGates are typically used after you have completed your registration. You will scan your passport and have your photo taken, which is matched against the biometric data already stored in the system.
What 65+ Travellers Experienced with EES Across Europe
Okay, it’s time to go through your experiences! But remember, just because someone has experienced something at your destination, it doesn’t mean you will definitely experience the same thing too!
Amsterdam Schipol (AMS)
There were more than 10 EES kiosks available. I used one to provide a face scan and fingerprints, and it worked. I then went through an eGate, where again I had my face and fingerprints scanned.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: 30–60 minutes
There was a horrendous queue before even getting to EES, but once we reached the EES kiosks it was fairly quick. I gave fingerprints and had my face scanned, then I was directed to an eGate.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Alicante (ALC)
There were more than 10 EES kiosks available. I used one to give a face scan and fingerprints, then I went through an eGate where I had my passport and face scanned.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
They had EES kiosks operating but I joined the main queue. 1-3 passport desks were open and they only checked my passport.
Total time taken: Not sure
Almeria (LEI)
EES kiosks were open but because I had children with me I joined the main queue. I had my face scanned but my children didn’t.
EES check: 3–4 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Aarhus (AAR)
There were around 4–6 desks open – there were no kiosks – and I had to provide a face scan and fingerprints, and answer questions about the length and purpose of my trip.
EES check: 3–4 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Barcelona (BCN)
I used an EES kiosk – 7–10 of them were open. I had my fingerprints and face scanned and answered questions about the length and purpose of my trip, confirmation I had a return ticket and enough funds, and the details on my accommodation.
It worked so I then joined a queue where I had my fingerprints and face scanned again. Around 4-6 desks were open for this part. The whole process was totally disorganised and chaotic.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Bergen (BGO)
There were around 1–3 desks open, and I had to give my fingerprints.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Bilbao (BIO)
There were plenty of EES kiosks operating. I used one and gave my fingerprints, a face scan and answered all the questions – confirmation of my return ticket, funds, and insurance, accommodation details as well as the length and purpose of my trip. It worked so I then went to join a queue (there were about 1-3 desks running) where someone checked my passport.
EES check: 3–4 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Brno (BRQ)
There were 4-6 manned desks open. I was asked for facial scan and fingerprints.
EES check: 2-3 minutes
Total time taken: 15-30 minutes
Bucharest (OTP)
I was queuing for EES checks when I was pulled (I think at random?) from the queue by border agents. They asked for my boarding pass, passport, photo and fingerprints and used a kind of mobile scanner device. My mum was with me and they told her to stay in the normal EES queue.
Afterwards I had to go to a booth for manual checks too – they took my photo and finger prints again and they stamped my passport.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Budapest (BUD)
The EES kiosks were shut so I queued for a manual check (although I saw another arrivals gate had them up and running). 1-3 desks were open, and I gave my fingerprints and had a face scan. It didn’t feel like a longer process than usual.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Calais ferry port
There weren’t any EES self-service kiosks, so I joined the main queue – there were 1-3 desks for manual checks. I provided my fingerprints.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: 30–60 minutes
Carcassonne (CCF)
There weren’t any EES kiosks, instead around 1–3 desks open where I had a face scan and gave fingerprints.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: 30–60 minutes
Chania (CHQ)
There were EES kiosks but they weren’t in use – it seemed like they’d already abandoned EES checks. I went to a desk for a manual check – about 1-3 were open. I wouldn’t be surprised if my entry wasn’t registered at all given how quick it all was. Maybe it had something to do with it being Orthodox Easter and a public holiday in Greece.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Gdansk (GDN)
I queued for a manual check and provided a face scan and fingerprints – there were no EES kiosks.
EES check: 3–4 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Faro (AFO)
We were travelling with our 7 year old granddaughter, so joined a different queue – it was actually the one for EU passport holders. There were 2 passport desks operating for the EU queue and EU for the All Passports queue.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
They weren’t doing EES checks when we passed through Faro airport. There were around 7–10 passport desks open, and I just showed my passport. It was all very quick.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
The EES kiosks weren’t in use and there were no EES checks, I just go my passport checked at a desk.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Fuerteventura (FUE)
I gave a face scan and fingerprints at an EES kiosk, I was then directed to an eGate where my passport got scanned.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Gothenburg (GOT)
Date: 10th April 2026
Time: Morning (8am–12pm)
Status: Not registered
Method: Manual Check
There were around 4–6 desks open. When it was my turn I had to provide fingerprints and a face scan, and answer questions about the length and purpose of my trip, as well as my accommodation details. The interaction took more than 5 minutes.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 mins
Gibraltar (border with Spain)
There were around 4–6 EES kiosks available – I used one to provide a face scan and fingerprints, and was then able to cross the border.
EES check: 3–4 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Girona (GRO)
There were 4-6 EES kiosks were open so I used one. I gave fingerprints, had my face scannned and was asked for the following – accommodation details, return ticket details, confirmation of funds, the length of my trip and the reason for it. It didn’t work properly though so I went to a desk – there were around 1-3 open and they just checked my passport.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Gran Canaria (LPA)
Date: 10th April 2026
Time: Morning (8am–12pm)
Status: Not registered
Method: EES kiosk and eGate
I used a self-service EES kiosk, there were about 7-10 of them working. I had my face scanned and provided fingerprints, and then went through an eGate.
EES check: 2-3 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Ibiza (IBZ)
There were more than 10 EES kiosks up and running. I was asked for my fingerprints, a face scan and questions about the purpose of my trip, as well as my accommodation details, how much money I had and details of my return ticket.
However, the kiosk wasn’t working properly so I got directed to the main queue. Here I gave my fingerprints and had a face scan.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Keflavík / Reykjavik (KEF)
There was 4-6 manned desks open. I was asked for facial scan and about the length of my trip and details of my accommodation.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Krakow (KRK)
I joined a queue for manual checks, there were no EES kiosks. Around 4–6 desks were open and I had to give my fingerprints and get my face scanned.
EES check: 2-3 minutes
Total time taken: 2-3 hours
I queued for a manual check – about 7–10 desks were open. I gave my fingerprints and had a face scan.
EES check: 2-3 minutes
Total time taken: Not sure
Lisbon (LIS)
There were 7-10 eGates open and I was asked to scan my passport and have a face scan.
EES check: 1-2 minutes
Total time taken: 15-30 minutes
Madrid (MAD)
I went to use the self service kiosks. However, after answering the questions I was told to join the normal queue. There were 1-3 desks open and I was asked for a facial scan and to provide fingerprints. This took between 1-2 minutes and the whole process was quicker than my husband’s who successfully used the kiosk and joined a different queue!
EES check: 1-2 minutes
Total time taken: 15-30 minutes
tatus: Not registered
So much confusion! There were 4-6 kiosks working and it asked me for a face scan, fingerprints, length of trip and purpose of trip. It took 3-4 minutes but sadly it didn’t work and I had to join the main queue for a manual check. There were 4-6 manned desks and I was asked for my length of trip, purpose of trip and confirmation of a return ticket. This took 2-3 minutes.
Total time taken: 1-2 hours
Mahon, Mallorca (MAH)
I just scanned my passport at an EES kiosk (over 10 of them were up and running). I then went to an eGate where my passport got scanned again and I also had my face scanned.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Malaga (AGP)
I used an EES kiosk but it didn’t actually work. It asked me for a face scan and fingerprints, the length and purpose of my trip, confirmation of my return ticket and that I had enough money, details of my accommodation and that I had travel insurance. Anyway – I then had to join a queue specifically for people who had tried to use a kiosk or who were already registered for EES.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
There were more than 10 self service kiosks. I was asked for a facial scan, fingerprints, length of trip, purpose of trip, confirmation of funds, details of accommodation and confirmation of insurance. It took 1-2 minutes and then I was directed to an eGate which scanned my face again. This part took 1-2 minutes too.
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Malta (MLA)
The whole EES process was done manually at the passport desks. There were more than 10 available. I had a face scan and provided fingerprints.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Marseille (MRS)
The EES kiosks weren’t in use so we were processed manually at desks – there were 1-3 of them staffed. I gave fingerprints and had a face scan. The whole airport was hugely backlogged, it was pretty diabolical.
EES check: Less than 1 minutes
Total time taken: 30-60 minutes
Milan Linate (LIN)
There were around 4 6 EES kiosks working. I used one and it asked me for my finger prints, a face scan, where I was staying, the length and purpose of my trip, confirmation of my return ticket and confirmation of funds. It took 2-3 minutes but it didn’t work so I had to join a seaparate queue for people who had used a kiosk/ were already registered.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Milan Malpensa (MXP)
There were over 10 EES kiosks operating, I used one to provide finger prints and a face scan as well as confirmation of my accommodation details, return ticket, funds and travel insurance. However it wouldn’t and I was directed to a passport desk – there were 7-10 of them open, and they only checked my passport here.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: 1–2 hours
Munich (MUC)
EES kiosks were in use but I headed for the main queue because I had children with me. Around 1-3 desks were operating and I gave a face scan and fingerprints. We were the first passengers from our plane in the queue – it very quickly built up behind us though.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Murcia (RMU)
An agent came along as I was inputting my information at the EES kiosk, leaned over my shoulder and tapped next to every question very quickly. It then said see an officer. The friend I travelled with completed all the info and it still didn’t work. We went to eGates from there where we had our faces scanned.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Naples (NAP)
The EES kiosks were not in use so I joined the main queue. There were 1-3 manned desks up and running. I was asked for a face scan only.
Nice (NCE)
There were 1-3 desks for manual EES checks; I had my face scanned and gave fingerprints.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Pisa (PSA)
EES kiosks were in use but I went through the main queue. There were 4–6 desks open and I gave a face scan and fingerprints.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
There were only 1-3 manned desks. They asked for a face scan and my fingerprints but others before me just handed a passport and were given a stamp.
There were EES kiosks open for people to use, but I joined the main queue. There were around 4–6 desks operating, I was asked for a face scan and fingerprints.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
There were around 7–10 EES kiosks open, but when I tried using one it didn’t work so I had to join a queue. I gave my fingerprints and had a face scan at a desk.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
There were more than 10 EES kiosks and I used them, scanning my passport, having my face scanned and giving my fingerprints. This took 2-3 minutes and directed me to an eGate once I was done which scanned my passport and took a photo of my face. On my return, it was even easier – I just used an eGate. Really impressed with Palma airport.
There were more than 10 EES kiosks and it asked for a facial scan and fingerprints, which took 2-3 minutes. However as I was travelling with my children, we were then directed to a queue for a manual check.
Total time taken: 30-60 minutes
There were more than 10 EES kiosks working and I used one to scan my passport. It worked successfully and I was directed to an eGate.
I used an EES kiosk (there were over 10 open) to have a face scan and give fingerprints, and it worked quickly. Then I went through an eGate and had another face and fingerprint scan.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
I provided a fingerprints and got my face scanned at an EES kiosk, I then passed through an eGate where I just had to scan my passport.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
EES kiosks were present but not in use, so I joined the main queue. There were around 4–6 desks open and I had a face scan.
EES check: Less than 1 minute
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Porto (OPO)
There were 7 manned desks and around 30 people ahead of me. The queue moved quickly. At the desk I was only asked for my passport – no EES checks as they had suspended them. Flights before and after were asked, so I think I got lucky!
I was one of the first off my flight and had used the Travel to Europe app to pre-register but was told they weren’t accepting it yet. Very big queues and there was only 1 desk for a while but then the desks processing EU nationals cleared, and 2 more desks helped to speed things up. I was asked for my fingerprints and a facial scan.
Reus (REU)
EES kiosks were open but I was with a child so I queued for a manual check. 1-3 desks were available – I had my face scanned and fingerprints taken.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 30–60 minutes
Rhodes (RHO)
EES kiosks were there but not being used. I went to a desk – around 4–6 of them were open – where I only had my passport checked.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Riga (RIX)
I joined a queue for manual EES checks because the kiosks weren’t in use. Around 1–3 desks were open, and I got my face scanned and fingerprints taken.
EES check: 1–2 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
Rome Ciampino (CIA)
I joined a queue because they stopped using the EES kiosks while I was there – we weren’t told why. There were around 4–6 desks for checks and they only wanted my passport. The queue was very slow.
Total time taken: 30–60 minutes
Salzburg (SZG)
I scanned my passport at an EES kiosk (about 7–10 were available) but it didn’t work so I joined the main queue. I gave my fingerprints and had my face scanned. Leaving Salzburg was painfully slow though.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Santiago de Compostela (SCQ)
There were 7-10 kiosks and it asked me for a facial scan, fingerprints, the purpose of my trip, confirmation of a return ticket and confirmation of funds. This took 1-2 minutes and I was then directed to an eGate which scanned my face again. This part took less than 1 minute.
Tenerife South (TFS)
There were 4-6 kiosks and it asked for a face scan and fingerprints. This took around 3-4 minutes, but then I was directed to the manual check queue with everyone else. There were only 1-3 manned desks open, but I only had to hand over my passport when I got there. This interaction with the passport control officer took between 1-2 minutes.
There were over 10 EES kiosks available. Someone had to help me because my passport wouldn’t scan, it also asked me for a face scan and fingerprints.
Because we had our kids with us we then had to go to a desk for manual checks anyway – so it seemed like it could be a lot more efficient.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: 15–30 minutes
Venice (VCE)
I joined a queue as the EES kiosks weren’t in use. 1-3 desks were open and I was only asked for my passport.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: Not sure
I used an EES kiosk to give my fingerprints and get a face scan and answer questions about why I was there, for how long, accommodation details, confirmation I had a return ticket and confirmation I had enough money.
But it didn’t work, so I had to joined a queue where I gave fingerprints and had a face scan again. There were around 1–3 desks open and the whole process was chaotic and pretty awful.
EES check: More than 5 minutes
Total time taken: More than 3 hours
The EES kiosks weren’t open. I gave my fingerprints and had a face scan with a person – there were around 1–3 desks open.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: 30–60 minutes
The EES kiosks weren’t open so I queued for a manual check. There were around 4–6 desks open, and I provided a face scan and fingerprints. They kept making announcements says the system was running slowly and that’s why the wait was so long.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: 2–3 hours
Verona (VRN)
There was a separate queue for people who had already registered for EES. The EES kiosks were open and I used one to give my fingerprints and a face scan.
It worked and I was directed to an eGate, where I had my passport and face scanned. 1-3 eGates were open, but they weren’t working properly which caused delays – it would have been quicker otherwise.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: 30–60 minutes
Vilnius (VNO)
I joined a queue that was for travellers who had already registered with EES. I was asked for a facial scan and fingerprints.
Zurich (ZRH)
The EES kiosks weren’t in use, so I went to a desk – 4-6 were open. I was asked about the reason for my trip and how long it would be, and gave my fingerprints and had a face scan too.
EES check: 2–3 minutes
Total time taken: Less than 15 minutes
