If you have travelled through a Schengen external border recently and found yourself stuck in a long queue, you are not alone. One year after the European Union introduced its Entry/Exit System (EES) — a digital border control system designed to register non-EU nationals crossing Schengen borders — the experience for many travellers has been far from smooth. Europe's leading airports and airlines associations have now publicly called on EU authorities to take urgent action, describing the ongoing congestion as 'unacceptable'. For expats living in Germany who travel regularly, whether visiting family outside the EU or taking international trips, this is a development worth understanding.
The Entry/Exit System is an EU-wide digital border management tool that records the entry and exit of non-EU nationals crossing the Schengen Area's external borders. In principle, it replaces the manual stamping of passports with a digital log, capturing biometric data such as fingerprints and facial images. The goal is to improve border security and track overstays more effectively.
However, the practical roll-out of the system has created significant friction at border checkpoints. Airports and airlines — the bodies that feel the immediate operational impact — are now raising the alarm. The European airports and airlines association has formally called on EU authorities to intervene and ease the congestion that has built up at Schengen external border crossings.
According to reports, some travellers have faced waits of up to five hours at affected border crossings. This is not a minor inconvenience — for anyone connecting to an onward flight, picking up family, or trying to make an appointment on arrival, a five-hour queue represents a serious disruption.
The industry associations have characterised this situation as 'unacceptable', signalling that the problem has persisted long enough that voluntary patience is no longer a reasonable ask. One year into the system's operation, the expectation was that teething issues would have been resolved. Instead, the call for a formal rethink has grown louder.
For expats based in Germany, this matters most at airports with busy international routes outside the Schengen zone. Travellers holding non-EU passports — even those with valid German residence permits — are subject to EES registration when crossing the Schengen external border.
The EES applies to third-country nationals — that is, people who are not EU, EEA or Swiss citizens — crossing the Schengen Area's external borders. This includes the large number of expats living in Germany on residence permits, Blue Cards, or other visa categories who hold passports from outside the EU.
If you are a German citizen or hold an EU passport, EES does not apply to you at most crossings. However, if you are a non-EU national living in Germany and travelling internationally, you should factor in the possibility of significantly longer border processing times when planning your journeys.
Airlines are also affected operationally: longer border queues can delay boarding, disrupt turnaround times, and affect schedules across the network.
The airports and airlines association has directed its appeal to EU authorities, asking them to take concrete steps to ease congestion. The specific measures being requested have not been detailed in available reports, but the framing — a 'rethink' of the system — suggests the industry believes structural changes, not just operational tweaks, may be needed.
This puts the ball in the court of EU-level decision-makers. Whether and how quickly they respond remains to be seen, but the public nature of the appeal adds political pressure to find a solution.
If you hold a non-EU passport and a German residence permit, you are likely subject to EES registration when crossing the Schengen external border. Your residence permit does not exempt you from the EES process. It is advisable to check the latest guidance from the relevant German or EU border authorities before your next international trip.
Based on current reports, delays of up to five hours have been recorded in some cases. While not every crossing will experience the worst-case scenario, it is wise to allow significantly more time than you normally would, particularly at busy international airports. Check with your airline and the specific airport for the most current advice before you travel.
The formal call from the airports and airlines association for EU authorities to act suggests that improvements are not yet guaranteed. Monitoring official announcements from EU institutions and your airline is the best way to stay informed about any changes to border procedures.
The EES system was designed to make Schengen border management more efficient and secure, but one year in, significant operational challenges remain. For expats in Germany who travel outside the Schengen Area, the practical advice is straightforward: build extra time into your travel plans, check the latest situation at your departure airport before you travel, and follow updates from EU authorities and your airline as the situation evolves.
If you are a non-EU national and unsure how EES affects your specific travel documents or residence status, consult the Ausländerbehörde or a qualified immigration adviser for guidance tailored to your situation.
Source: The Local
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