Will the EU EES rollout cause long passport queues?

New border checks risk stretching arrival times

A major upgrade to how the EU records entries and exits is rolling out across member-state airports, and the change has triggered warnings about much longer passport-control waits at peak times. Authorities and industry groups have flagged the potential for multi-hour queues while new systems and staffing levels are bedded in — a particular concern for busy summer travel periods.

The system changes the flow at external borders by collecting biometric and biographic data from many travellers who previously passed through faster lanes. The effect is procedural: more time per passenger at primary control when manual checks or fallback procedures kick in. Airports and airlines have asked for a phased approach because real-world processing rates in some terminals are already showing strain.

How to reduce the risk of being delayed

• Allow extra connection time: if you have a tight onward flight, add several hours where feasible or avoid immediate connections.
• Choose less busy arrival windows: early-morning or late-night arrivals can face shorter lines than midday surges.
• Use e-gates where eligible: some national passports and residence permits still qualify for automated lanes.
• Check airport advisories: airlines and airports will publish guidance about expected wait times and any temporary measures.
• Pack digitised documents: have travel authorisations and identity papers ready to present quickly.

The practical importance is simple: passengers should anticipate slower entry processing and plan journeys accordingly. For travellers with connections, event schedules, or tight ground transfers, building in buffer time now will prevent a missed onward leg when queues lengthen.