Germany’s Airport Association (ADV) sounded the alarm on Saturday, 4 July, after the first full night of operations under the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES). ADV President – and BER Chief Executive – Aletta von Massenbach told the German Press Agency that processing times for travellers from outside the Schengen area have “shot up from an average of 45 seconds to more than two minutes,” creating waiting lines of up to two hours at Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin–Brandenburg.
EES digitally records every non-EU traveller’s fingerprints, facial image and passport data the first time they cross an external Schengen border. Although the system began rolling deployment in October 2025, Germany activated full biometric capture at all major airports only this weekend to coincide with the summer travel peak.
For travellers who would rather clear the new formalities before they even arrive, VisaHQ offers an easy way to check Schengen visa requirements, confirm passport validity and pre-register travel details. Its Germany hub consolidates the latest guidance on EES procedures and other border regulations, helping both tourists and business passengers cut down on unwanted surprises at immigration.
![German airports warn of two-hour queues as new EU Entry/Exit System goes live]()
Border police can theoretically suspend biometric capture when queues become excessive, but airports complain the flexibility clause is rarely used. Airlines operating tight hub-and-spoke connections fear knock-on delays, missed connections and compensation claims.
Lufthansa said it has re-opened several dedicated “fast-track” lanes for premium passengers and families but called for “rapid scaling-up of mobile pre-registration apps” so travellers can submit biometrics before departure.
The Federal Police, responsible for border control, insist staffing is adequate and that processing times will fall as more passengers complete their first registration.
For business travellers, the biggest practical tip is to allow at least an extra hour for immigration on first entry, especially when arriving with large groups. Companies should also remind frequent flyers that once a biometric record is on file, subsequent crossings are quicker – but passport validity, overstays and 90/180-day limits will now be enforced automatically.
EES digitally records every non-EU traveller’s fingerprints, facial image and passport data the first time they cross an external Schengen border. Although the system began rolling deployment in October 2025, Germany activated full biometric capture at all major airports only this weekend to coincide with the summer travel peak.
For travellers who would rather clear the new formalities before they even arrive, VisaHQ offers an easy way to check Schengen visa requirements, confirm passport validity and pre-register travel details. Its Germany hub consolidates the latest guidance on EES procedures and other border regulations, helping both tourists and business passengers cut down on unwanted surprises at immigration.
Border police can theoretically suspend biometric capture when queues become excessive, but airports complain the flexibility clause is rarely used. Airlines operating tight hub-and-spoke connections fear knock-on delays, missed connections and compensation claims.
Lufthansa said it has re-opened several dedicated “fast-track” lanes for premium passengers and families but called for “rapid scaling-up of mobile pre-registration apps” so travellers can submit biometrics before departure.
The Federal Police, responsible for border control, insist staffing is adequate and that processing times will fall as more passengers complete their first registration.
For business travellers, the biggest practical tip is to allow at least an extra hour for immigration on first entry, especially when arriving with large groups. Companies should also remind frequent flyers that once a biometric record is on file, subsequent crossings are quicker – but passport validity, overstays and 90/180-day limits will now be enforced automatically.
