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EES system leaves passengers waiting up to three hours

How long does the EU entry-exit scheme take? Simon Calder puts it to the test

The EU's new digital border scheme (EES) is causing significant delays at European airports, with reports of three-hour waits at passport control and a 70 per cent increase in border check times.
The Airports Council International (ACI) warns that the current EES rollout could lead to "serious safety hazards" and "systemic disruption" if the implementation schedule is not urgently reviewed.
The EES requires third-country nationals, including British travellers, to register fingerprints and facial biometrics, which is contributing to the extended processing times at borders.
ACI is calling for an urgent review and moderation of the EES rollout schedule, which is due to be completed by April 2026, citing various operational issues.
Currently, only 10 per cent of travellers undergo digital registration, but this is set to rise to 35 per cent by January 2026, a prospect ACI fears will significantly worsen congestion and chaos.