SchengenClock
Verified June 2026

EES border delays

The EES adds a biometric step to crossing the border, and busy ports and airports have seen longer queues since it rolled out. Here is what causes the delays - and how to get through faster.

Why the first crossing is the slow one

The delay is almost entirely about first registration. The first time you cross an external border under the EES, the system has to build your file from scratch: it captures a facial image and 4 fingerprints and links them to your travel document. That is several steps where a passport stamp used to be one.

Once your file exists, later crossings are a verification - a quick match against the record already on file. The system is designed to process returning travellers in well under two minutes, so the pain is heavily front-loaded onto your first post-rollout trip.

Where delays have hit hardest

The worst queues have been at high-volume crossings with limited physical space: major airports during peak banks of arrivals, and land and sea routes such as the Dover crossing. During the busiest periods, some sites have temporarily eased or suspended the new checks to keep queues safe. Travel groups have warned that peak summer 2026 is the stress test.

How to get through faster

  • • Have your passport out and ready before you reach the booth.
  • • Travel off-peak where you can - early mornings and mid-week are usually lighter.
  • • Use self-service kiosks or the official EES app for pre-registration wherever it is offered.
  • • Families move faster than you’d expect: children under 12 are not fingerprinted.
  • • Remember it is a one-time cost - your next crossing is a quick biometric match.

Delays aside, the EES counts your days exactly now - so make sure you are inside the limit before you travel. Check with the 90/180 calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the EES causing border delays?

The first time you cross under the EES, the border has to create your file: capture your facial image and 4 fingerprints and link them to your passport. That first registration takes longer than an old-style stamp, so at busy crossings the extra seconds per traveller add up to longer queues - especially in peak summer periods.

How long does an EES check take?

Your first registration is the slow one. After that, each crossing is designed to be a quick biometric match - typically well under two minutes - because your file already exists and only needs verifying.

Where are the worst EES delays?

High-volume crossings with limited space - major airports at peak hours and land/sea routes like the Dover crossing - have seen the longest waits. Some sites have temporarily eased checks when queues became unsafe. Off-peak travel and airports with more kiosks tend to move faster.

How can I get through the EES faster?

Have your passport ready, travel off-peak where you can, and use self-service kiosks or the EES app for pre-registration where offered. Children under 12 are not fingerprinted, which speeds up families. Most importantly, after your first trip the process is much quicker.

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